Fonterra today increased its 2016/17 forecast farmgate milk price by 75 cents to $6/kgMS.

The Government expects to announce a support package for farmers affected by the earthquake with the “next few days”, says the Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy is today meeting with farmers in Kaikoura and North Canterbury to see and hear at first hand the issues they are facing as a result on the massive earthquake.

The farming sector has long been under-served by good financial management and planning systems, say Figured chief executive Dave Dodds. He says his company is on a mission to change that.

Dairy and milk processing are the New Zealand destinations for overseas investors’ wealth -- not sheep and beef, says a report on cash inflows of the last two years.

Sheds down, electric fences not working and breeding programmes interrupted are some of the problems facing dairy farms in the worst quake-hit areas of Culverden and Waiau.

Federated Farmers is putting up two helicopters today to check on farmers isolated by the earthquake.

The Minister for Primary Industry, Nathan Guy is planning to visit badly quake damaged farming areas in North Canterbury and Kaikoura tomorrow.

Farmers in Waikato face bills of up to $750,000 to comply with a proposed plan to improve fresh water quality.

Irrigating farmers need to take care as they turn infrastructure back on following Monday’s devastating earthquakes.