One of New Zealand dairy awards' key national sponsors, Westpac is pulling out this month.

LIC chief executive Wayne McNee will leave the farmer-owned co-operative in November after eight years in the role.

At a time when New Zealand's rural sector is already carrying a large can to keep the country's finances in the black, it looks like that can will get a little heavier.

Trade and Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor's visit to the UK and Europe to progress free trade agreements is extremely important to the New Zealand dairy industry.

The latest KPMG Agribusiness Agenda paints a picture of low morale among sector leaders.

The country's second largest dairy processor collected just short of 2 billion litres of milk from its suppliers.

Dairy prices have continued their recent downhill run, but the forecast milk price isn't under threat.

Another bank is offering farmers low-cost 'green loans' to help them tackle environmental impacts.

DairyNZ regional leader in Bay of Plenty Andrew Reid is moving on to a new role.

Northland farmer Murray Jagger says it's time to focus on alternative pastures that can deliver better milk and beef yield.