Fonterra's bid to offload its loss-making China Farms business has cleared a major regulatory hurdle.

Farms first have to be profitable if they are to meet environmental and other targets, say the Regional Supreme Winners of the 2020 Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Tony Coltman and Dana Carver.

Waikato Regional Council is urging farmers to be vigilant after seven separate court cases found farmers to have unlawfully discharged farm effluent into the environment.

A North Canterbury cow sanctuary that was investigated by Ministry of Primary Industries for alleged animal welfare breaches has folded.

New Zealand Dairy Statistics for the 2019/20 season reveal the season was a productive one for dairy farmers.

The chairman of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) Malcolm Bailey says the industry appears to be in a strong position given what is happening in the world at present.

New Zealand dairy exports have grown by over $5 billion since 2015, adding an extra $375 million to wages.

Strong global demand for dairy products has prompted ANZ to raise its forecast milk price for this season to $7.20/kgMS.

Mastitis expert Steve Cranefield says as long as the basics of mastitis management are followed the risk of one cow spreading mastitis to another cow is quite low.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics is launching a beef programme, which it says is designed to generate more income for beef producers and the economy while also protecting the environment.