Being a dairy farmer and an environmentalist, I have been perplexed by the banter and politicking over the regional council's One Plan implementation.

With the payout down and dry conditions looming, what's the last thing dairy farmers need now? An ageing political mouth with an overactive media secretary using the industry to try to make political capital.

The Australian dairy industry is worth about A$3 billion to the economy of Gippsland, Victoria, a regional business forum heard recently.

NZ dairy farmers need to keep the focus on the cost of production, because New Zealand is the only system in the world that can live through the current volatility, says Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings.

The new entry criteria for the 2016 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year means dairy workers with a variety of backgrounds, experience and skills are able to enter.

A new trial at the Northland Agricultural Research Farm near Dargaville is looking at alternatives to importing feed.

Like most New Zealanders, Sri Lankans are growing up drinking Anchor milk.

AgResearch chief executive Dr Tom Richardson says despite making 78 scientists and technicians redundant, research on key projects related to the dairy industry will continue and in many cases increase.

Most farmers will be looking at their business in the coming weeks as the year winds down and we look ahead.

Dairy farmers stand to benefit financially from the expansion at the Port of Tauranga, says chief executive Mark Cairns.