Trade barriers cost New Zealand billions of dollars annually, according to an NZIER report for the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ).

Wairarapa dairy farmer Bill Patrick’s new Duncan Renovator AS5300 drill allows him to cover more ground faster and deal comfortably with trashy conditions on the family’s 2000-cow dairy farm in Wairarapa, east of Masterton.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy says several regions -- in addition to Northland – are under close drought watch.

Parasites in sheep will become more of a problem for New Zealand farmers as temperatures rise with climate change, says AgResearch principal scientist John McEwan.

About 300 representatives from the primary industries sector are expected at MobileTECH 2017 in Rotorua next month.

Farm sales dropped for the three months ended December compared to the same period last year, says the Real Estate Institute of NZ (REINZ).

While many people have rested from the stresses of work over Christmas and the new year, reality can be different for farmers.

Fifty three students will take part this week in a three day agricultural careers "taster" course at Taratahi in the Wairarapa.

Please do it again next year.

A range of factors including currency fluctuations, a weak and volatile outlook for lamb and wool, plus the impact of drought and facial eczema, will impact on sheep and beef farmer profitability this season.