Rural real estate sales in autumn this year were down on both the number of sales and price per hectare versus the same period last year. 

The new dairy season has just begun and there is already plenty to keep track of for Australian dairy farmers.

Canterbury farmer Ted Rollinson says Fonterra is held in very high regard by Chinese consumers.

Federated Farmers national dairy chair Chris Lewis says he is looking into transitioning to an A2 herd but he questions whether the premium will stick if everyone switches.

Farmer demand for A2 dairy bulls for the upcoming mating season is at record levels, says the marketing arm of World Wide Sires NZ.

Britain has taken its first formal step to negotiate a post-Brexit free trade agreement with New Zealand, Australia and the US. 

More beef farms than dairy farms are now infected with the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis, according to MPI figures.

Federated Farmers president Katie Milne says she hopes for a fair split.

Agreement between the dairy and beef sectors on who pays what for the industry share of eradicating Mycoplasma bovis is still a month away, say industry sources.

Conditions look promising for the start of calving in the Lower North Island.