Markets for New Zealand lamb have performed strongly for the last six months, says Affco general manager Andy Leonard.

Some 200 people turned out recently to a field day at Omapere Rangihamama Trust farm, near Kaikohe in the Far North.

New Zealand’s three major export sectors- beef, lamb and dairy- may pass the $6/kg mark simultaneously at some stage this year, says ASB analyst Nathan Penny.

2017 has begun on a positive note for the country’s farmers with rural confidence levels edging up, primarily driven by signs of renewed optimism among horticulturalists and sheep and beef producers.

Māori don't talk much about the good things they do and don’t talk themselves up enough, says the Minister of Māori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell.

A young dairy farming couple have increased their equity by at least $500,000 in two-three years on a less-than-ideal Far North farm and despite two years of low dairy payout.

Farmers’ confidence in the economy and their own businesses improved in Federated Farmers mid-season Farm Confidence Survey, released today.

There have been negativities around farmers saying the sheep sector is declining.

Insufficient contract maize was grown this season, contributing to a feed shortage in drought conditions, says Federated Farmers Northland provincial president John Blackwell.

New Zealand needs to work hard on developing special trading relationships with Japan and Mexico, according to the Head of Global Agri for KPMG, Ian Proudfoot.