Farms sold up in number, price
Farms sold up in number, price
There are tentative signs of life in the depressed rural property market, with the number of properties sold and the average price all lifting in November.
Neal Wallace
PGGW cutsforecast for first half
PGGW cutsforecast for first half
Shares in rural servicing company PGG Wrightson fell 4c yesterday before recovering slightly, after the company announced a cut to its earnings forecast on the back of difficult first-half trading conditions.
Staff reshuffle at Synlait
Staff reshuffle at Synlait
Former PGG Wrightson chief executive Barry Brook has been elected chairman of independent Canterbury milk processor, Synlait Ltd.
Synlait Ltd investors set to vent anger
Synlait Ltd investors set to vent anger
The board of Synlait Ltd could be in for some tough questioning at todays's annual meeting from shareholders who say they have been marginalised.
Wool co-operative deadline likely to be extended
Wool co-operative deadline likely to be extended
The promoters of a new strong-wool buying and marketing co-operative are expected to announce today a second extension in the deadline for farmers to buy shares.
Milk auction price rises
Milk auction price rises
The increase in Fonterra's forecast milk payout last week appears justified, after prices in its latest internet auction lifted an average 2.4% yesterday.
Controlling stake in Dairy Holdings on offer
Controlling stake in Dairy Holdings on offer
The receivers of South Canterbury Finance are joining two other major shareholders in Dairy Holdings to market a controlling stake in the South Island dairy farm owner.
Government warns of 'restrained' budget
Government warns of 'restrained' budget
Deteriorating government accounts were an opportunity for a rethink at opening up previous "no-go areas" of the economy, such as selling shares in state-owned enterprises, Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O'Reilly says.
Record grape harvest could mean hangovers
Record grape harvest could mean hangovers
An excellent start to New Zealand's grape-growing season, indicating a record 300,000-tonne potential harvest in 2011, has wine industry leaders nervous.
Possum control study to end
Possum control study to end
Efforts to find an alternative to 1080 poison for controlling possums have been dealt a blow with news AgResearch is to dismantle its only research unit, based at Invermay at North Taieri.
Port Otago names former Fulton Hogan head chairman
Port Otago names former Fulton Hogan head chairman
The former managing director of Fulton Hogan, David Faulkner, is Port Otago's new chairman.
Merger essential to Telford's future
Merger essential to Telford's future
Telford Rural Polytechnic risked losing cornerstone government funding if it did not find a suitor as it did in Lincoln University.
Criticism of inspection trial blasted
Criticism of inspection trial blasted
Criticism of a trial allowing meat companies to carry out some meat inspection functions themselves was misguided and ignored the fact they had a vested interest in ensuring it was done properly, an industry body says.
Fonterra boosts forecast milk price
Fonterra boosts forecast milk price
Dairy farmers are on track for one of their biggest paydays with Fonterra yesterday lifting the forecast milk price for the current season by 30c a kg of milksolids to $6.90 a kg/ms.
'Poisonous' wrangle harming wool industry
'Poisonous' wrangle harming wool industry
Agriculture Minister David Carter has labelled as "poisonous" a campaign mounted by opponents of a proposed new structure for the wool industry.
CRT adds Westland store to network
CRT adds Westland store to network
South Island rural servicing company CRT has strengthened its presence on the West Coast with the purchase of the Westland Farm Centre store in Hokitika, from Westland Milk Products.
Carter stands accused on wool move
Carter stands accused on wool move
Whether proposed grower-owned strong-wool marketing company Wool Partners Co-operative (WPC) will achieve the required level of farmer support is still up in the air.
Dairy $900m industry in South: report
Dairy $900m industry in South: report
The dairy industry hopes a report revealing it contributed nearly $1.5 billion to the southern economy and employed 4200 people last year will lead to greater public appreciation of its economic importance.
South now flowing with milk
South now flowing with milk
The extent of changing land use in the South from sheep and beef farming to dairy is evident in latest Dairy NZ statistics, which reveal 177 dairy farms have been established in the last three years.
WPI offering 15% margin
WPI offering 15% margin
Backers of a new company charged with changing the way strong wool is sold and marketed say premiums being offered to growers by two British carpet manufacturers are a glimpse of the future.