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.

The Australian cattle herd is expected to increase in 2017 – its first increase in three years.

New Zealand's red meat sector can look ahead to increasing opportunity in the Korean market now that the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) has come into force.

A bizarre weather pattern is dividing the country right down the middle, with some areas facing serious drought and others swamped with too much rain.