Leaving behind its difficult start, the Tumunui Trust has progressed for 30 years to become a successful Maori incorporation with deer and beef, forestry and dairying says Andrew Kusabs, Rotorua.

The low payout doesn’t necessarily mean dairy farmers will stop work on environmental projects on their farms.

Hard work does pay off, says Matt Bell (28), who won the 27th Young Farmer of the Year contest.

Vietnam offers big opportunities for smaller New Zealand dairy companies, says New Zealand’s trade commissioner and consul general in Vietnam, Tony Martin.

The exceptionally low milk price has dealt a blow to Landcorp, forcing it to post a half year profit to December 31, 2014 of just $1 million, down 92% on the same period in the previous year. 

Three more dairy companies – Miraka, Open Country and Westland – are reporting milk flows dipping as dry weather starts to affect grass growth and production, despite reasonable rain in many places in the past week.

The first of seven Grand Finalists will be determined next weekend, Saturday, February 7 as Otago/Southland starts the 2015 Regional Finals for the ANZ Young Farmer Contest in Queenstown.

PASTORAL FARMERS in the Lake Rotorua catchment await with trepidation the outcome of new rules on the amount of nitrogen they will be able to leach from their land.

FEDERATED FARMERS is to discuss with Landcorp the possibility that as many as 60 dairy farmers in the Upper Waikato River catchment may not have enough water to wash down their dairy sheds.

THE 2014 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year, Ruth Hone, says the awards provide opportunities for those that apply themselves.