China's market share of NZ’s primary exports is material and raises the issue of concentration risk, says BNZ rural economist Doug Steel.

Normally, at this time of the year, Central Hawkes Bay is bone dry. But this season is the exception, as Peter Burke found out.

Summer has seen a good start to farm sales, according to the latest data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ)

Rural confidence has fallen for the third consecutive quarter.

The unusually wet summer so far means a flush of feed NZ-wide, says Alliance Group chairman Murray Taggart.

Extreme dry conditions and the resulting erratic stock flows over the past year underline the value of a cooperative, Alliance farmer shareholders heard at their annual meeting this month.

More farms have been changing hands in recent months, according to the Real Estate Institute of NZ (REINZ).

As we bid farewell to another year it’s time for the annual review of 2018 in the primary sector as seen by the Rural News editorial team.

Sales of tractors are up 17% on this time last year and could set a record by year-end, says NZ Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) president John Tulloch.

Meat processor Alliance says its operating profit dropped 60% because of higher payment to farmer shareholders.