There's no doubt 2015 has been a tough year for those of us in the agricultural contracting sector.

The number of dairy cattle has dropped for the first time since 2005, says Statistics New Zealand.

White the lamb crop is the lowest since 1953, sheep farmers have become much more productive, says Beef + Lamb NZ chief economist Andrew Burtt.

US ranchers are letting cows gorge in feedlots for up to 60 days longer than usual.

With the likelihood of a dry summer for many parts of New Zealand sheep farmers need to prepare now, says Professor Paul Kenyon, Massey University.

The Fieldays 2015 Economic Impact report reveals the events contributes $166m to the GDP of New Zealand and $53m to Waikato.

While the lowest lamb crop in 60 years should support prices, the market is being swamped by other factors at present, says the ASB in its weekly commodities report.

We need to start assigning qualities to meat we sell overseas – particularly to the wealthier countries within the Trans Pacific Partnership, says food marketing expert Alister King.

Plantings of one the dairy industry's most popular supplements is way down right across the country.

Some Australian cows are taking 13-hour flights to China before ending up on a plate.