Chicory and its contribution to a $37,000 reduction in feed costs was a highlight in a tough year with the payout drop for the P3 Hauraki Focus Farm at Ngatea.

The treasury is ruling out an early end to low dairy prices.

Federated Farmers President William Rolleston says the situation of some dairy farmers in drought affected areas of the South Island is becoming desperate.

Gypsy Day is over and now is the time for dairy farming families to register with a medical practice in their new district.

Maori business leader Traci Houpapa has been appointed chair of Landcorp Farming. She has acted in the position since May last year.

Fonterra's top farmer contact in Waikato, Paul Grave, says he hopes he can improve the communication between the co-op and local farmers and other regional stakeholders.

Either President Barack Obama gets legislation through US Congress for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) to proceed or the trade agreement is all but finished, says NZ International Business Forum executive director Stephen Jacobi.

The Minister for Primary Industries and a team of his officials from MPI are now visiting some of the farms in the lower North Island that were affected by the heavy weekend rain.

Close to 600 dairy farmers are expected to converge on Lincoln University in Canterbury this week for the annual South Island Dairy Event (SIDE).

An organic dairy farm just north of Levin has been inundated with water after a stop bank on the Koputaroa steam failed this morning.