Neal Wallace

Perceived consumer concerns about food miles actually carried little sway in the buying patterns of United Kingdom shoppers, according to a University of Otago study.

Listed rural servicing company PGG Wrightson has identified its new AgriTech arm as its primary source of new revenue and growth.

Economic uncertainty and the start of a new European dairy season saw milk powder prices fall nearly 14% in Fonterra's monthly internet auction on Tuesday night, a trend that could continue for the next few months.

Calls for an overhaul of rules governing foreign ownership of farm land increased yesterday, coinciding with the Chinese-backed company lodging an application to buy 16 North Island dairy farms with the Overseas Investment Office.

LandCorp's decision to bid for the 16 Crafar family dairy farms in receivership could remove a thorny issue for the Government.

There have been immediate benefits from steps last week to unite the beleaguered wool industry.

Farm product prices next year are shaping up to be similar to the season just ended.

Gore is hosting the grand final of the National Bank Young Farmer of the Year contest this week, where seven of the country's brightest top rural people compete for the title and a first prize worth $102,000.

Shareholders were left wondering yesterday why they had not considered changes to Fonterra's constitution before now.

Emission units, or carbon credits, can be bought by a business from a forest owner or through a broker, allowing the owner to emit greenhouse gas.

Fonterra shareholders have sent a resounding message that they are ready to tackle all-comers by yesterday agreeing in record numbers to change the co-operative's constitution.

Doing our bit to save the planet, as Climate Change Issues Minister Nick Smith calls it, will cost every New Zealand household on average $165 a year from today, as the emissions trading scheme comes into force.

United States dairy exporters are warning that allowing Fonterra shareholders to trade shares among themselves could jeopardise the inclusion of dairy in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement.

Agriculture Minister David Carter has ordered an investigation into the conduct of some of his staff after complaints of "bullying" and "inappropriate behaviour" while investigating 21 Southland dairy farms.

Sheep and beef farmers are forgoing $100 million a year in savings by not merging the co-operatives Silver Fern Farms and Alliance Group and changing the way meat is marketed, an industry leader says.