DRY CONDITIONS in the northern North Island and continued land use change in the South Island saw New Zealand's sheep numbers decrease 3.2% over the 2013-14 season, while beef cattle numbers increased 1.6%.

THE FAO Food Price Index decreased for a fourth consecutive month in July mainly due to a sharp decline in international prices for maize, wheat and certain oilseeds, reflecting ample supplies for these commodities.

UK’S BIGGEST supermarket chain is under fire from farmers for promoting lamb from New Zealand.

AUSTRALIAN CATTLE numbers have fallen, but the tightening supply is pushing farmgate prices up.

Fodder beet is New Zealand’s wheat. That’s how Dr Jim Gibbs, a leading researcher from Lincoln University describes the fodder crop which is rapidly gaining popularity among dairy, beef and deer farmers, so much so ‘fodder beet clubs’ are being set up to get best value from the crop.

FONTERRA'S FORECAST for 2014/15 has fallen lower than expected, says Federated Farmers at $6/kgMS.

THE RED meat sector is showing signs of putting decades of low profits and lack of reinvestment behind it.

FEDERATED FARMERS' new-season Farm Confidence Survey has moved into negative territory, with pessimists outnumbering optimists on prospects for the general economy and farm profitability.

While dairy prices continue to slide, beef and lamb prices are firming.

The outlook for beef prices remains strong despite the NZ high dollar.