Trade Minister Todd McClay says the Chinese market remains soft and consumers are more cautious in their buying patterns, but he says there are still many opportunities for New Zealand.

It's a bloody tough year for sheep farmers, but the worst may be over, and the future looks optimistic.

First up to the podium at the recent Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) Conference in Wellington, Minster for Agriculture, Todd McClay, reflected on a difficult 12 months, but hinted at signs that things were turning the corner, saying “when ag does well, New Zealand does well”.

Confusion seems to reign in the supermarkets, especially in China where consumers are faced with multiple messages about products and have little time to work out if the messages are correct.

Breeding better and more efficient sheep is the major focus of a Pāmu (formerly Landcorp) farm in the Central North Island.

Could there finally be positive news for the red meat sector after a period of challenging economic conditions?

Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland believes that after some challenging years, there are some positive signs in the market for red meat farmers.

Sheep and cattle numbers continue to decline, and this year's drought hasn't helped, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).

Red meat farmers are in "a slightly better place" than they were a year ago, according to Beef+Lamb NZ chief economist Andrew Burtt.

Freshwater plan changes are an urgent issue for farmers, says Federated Farmers' "Advocate of the Year," North Canterbury president Karl Dean.