Four women from throughout New Zealand have been selected as Dairy Women's Network 2015 Dairy Woman of the Year finalists.

The 2015 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards continues to attract large numbers of first time entrants to the programme.

Soils are drying out fast around the country, but above the ground it is a different story, with grass and feed supplies looking good in many parts of the country, says industry body DairyNZ.

Seven people were recognized in the New Years Honours for services directly related to agriculture.

Fonterra's milk collection in New Zealand for the seven months to December 31 reached 972 million kgMS, 4% higher than the same period last year, the cooperative says.

The winner's field day for the Lincoln University Foundation's South Island Farmer of the Year will have real relevance for farmers, primary producers and agri-businesses, says foundation chair Ben Todhunter.

LIVER DAMAGE is indicated in a DairyNZ analysis of the blood and autopsy samples the industry body collected from dairy cows experiencing ill-health after grazing on swedes in Southland.

The latest Northland research will be showcased at the BNZ Northland Dairy Development Trust's annual conference in Whangarei on February 11, 2015.

FARMER CO-OP LIC has bought the majority interest of its Brazilian genetics distributor, NZ Brasil Genetics Producao Animal Ltda.

Finland's largest dairy farm – milking 600 cows – has started production with DeLaval automatic milking rotary.