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.

Farmers are welcoming the broad scope of a parliamentary inquiry into banking competition.

Farmers are being urged to make submissions to the parliamentary inquiry into banking competition, now underway.

OPINION: Federated Farmers' latest Farm Confidence survey brings little comfort to the farming sector.

The new Safer Rides programme aiming to encourage farmers to install crush protection devices (CPDs) on their quad bikes has been over-subscribed, hitting its initial target within 38 hours of launch.

The meat industry is launching a campaign in China to make consumers aware of the unique health attributes of New Zealand's grass-fed animal meat.

MPI director-general Ray Smith acknowledges the tough times that sheep and beef farmers are going through in terms of loss of profitability and says he's been to many of the regions hammered by weather events. He describes the situation as heartbreaking.

Farmer confidence has fallen despite the new Government repealing and rewriting some contentious regulations.