The hot dry weather has seen total fire bans imposed on many parts of the South Island and Wairarapa will soon have one, says Federated Farmers national vice president Anders Crofoot.

As dry conditions continue to prevail over the country, Federated Farmers are warning farmers and the rural community against mowing roadside vegetation.

Soils are drying out fast around the country, but above the ground it is a different story, with grass and feed supplies looking good in many parts of the country, says industry body DairyNZ.

Northern Wairarapa winery owner Alistair Scott was elected into Parliament in September this year and says he wants to grow businesses in the region.

PARTICIPATING IN the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards has turned dreams into reality for the 2014 New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year, Nick Bertram.

VOTING FOR Fonterra’s board elections has begun. Fonterra’s 10,500 shareholders were last week mailed their voting packs for board elections and, in four wards, shareholder council positions. Voting opened online, by fax or post on the same day at 10.30am.

THE TRANS Pacific Partnership will be a hot topic when the members of the Five Nations Beef Alliance get together in Texas this week.

TARATAHI AGRICULTURAL Training Centre is now delivering agricultural programmes in the Auckland region, from Unitec's campus.

STATE FARMER Landcorp will be planting an additional 93ha of mānuka honey trees.

NOMINATIONS HAVE opened for the 2014 Fonterra Elections.