The inaugural Ministerial nominee on the Fonterra Milk Price Panel says he is not coming in as a crusader with any preconceived ideas of a need for change.

Before Covid, the Fonterra team in Singapore was always thrilled when Kiwi farmers dropped into the office during their travels and shared stories of life back on the farm.

Environment Southland (ES) and Federated Farmers Southland are locked in a dispute over the release of draft limits and targets for nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment, and E. coli load reductions in the region's rivers, lakes and estuaries.

DairyNZ says it has put a number of suggestions to the Government about how the sector could manage labour needs and health risks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dairy farmers can now apply to recruit much needed overseas farm assistants and herd managers.

Federated Farmers say that If OSPRI is to catch-up on under investment in the NAIT platform and deliver on workability and farmer support, levy increases are likely necessary.

If you're thinking about whether you should cull a few cows, err on the side of caution by doing it sooner rather than later, says DairyNZ general manager of farm performance Sharon Morrell.

Fonterra has dropped its 2021-22 New Zealand forecast milk collection by 1.6% due to weather constraints.

Canterbury farmer and agribusiness leader Jessie Chan says it feels surreal to have been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Global dairy prices have started the New Year in red hot form and ASB economist Nat Keall says a record milk price is now "a practical certainty".