Sheep farmers will be stocking up on penicillin to try to stave off disease in lambs which survived last week's unprecedented storms, but could still die in the next five to six weeks.
The owner of an Omarama high country farm is challenging a Save the Mackenzie Country campaign.
Global dairy prices increased for a second successive sale, rising 1.9% at Fonterra's globalDairyTrade internet auction held yesterday.
A $100 million milk-processing factory planned near Gore should be operating for the 2012-13 dairy season, but a shortage of local equity could force it to look overseas for financial backing.
The start to Fonterra's two-weekly internet auctions of dairy product this Thursday will be watched more closely than normal to gauge whether prices are continuing the recovery started at the September 1 sale.
A $170 million dairy research programme aims to create the biggest change in the sector in decades, its backers say.
The Government is extending rules which assist dairy companies to compete with Fonterra but has promised to address criteria under which Fonterra has to supply milk to its competitors.
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.
Housing 500 dairy cows in a barn may not fit the image of a typical New Zealand dairy farm, but it is hard to question the method when you see relaxed and contented cows quietly chewing their cud.
Improved health has been the biggest gain from housing cows.
Fonterra will from September double the frequency of its global DairyTrade internet auction to twice a month while also expanding the range of products offered.
A litre of milk could cost consumers as much as 20c more on the back of news Fonterra expects to pay its suppliers more for their milk next season.
The country's dairy processing capacity continues to grow, with news yesterday ZOAGN Ltd has applied for consent to build a milk powder factory in the Waikato, and Oceania Dairy appearing on track to get funding to build a plant near Glenavy.
Tight bank credit is likely to prevent a fresh flood of sheep and beef farmers lured by prospects of high milk prices converting to dairying.
Fonterra has announced an opening forecast for the 2011 season of up to $7.10 per kilogram of milksolids, broadly hinting the final payout "could be well above $8", which would be a payout record.
Blake Korteweg maybe a qualified builder, has spent time overseas and aspires to higher rugby honours, but he has settled on a career as a dairy farmer.
An Environment Canterbury hearing on 110 resource consent applications for water in the upper Waitaki catchment above the Waitaki dam, including for three big dairy farm developments, has been adjourned after hearing evidence and submissions for 56 days.
Will Central Otago paddocks be dotted with dairy cows in 2020?
New Zealand is the Zsa Zsa Gabor of free trade deals, writes Peter Lyons. If we are not careful we will end up selling our "lifeblood" to fund our addictive consumption habits.
A Murchison dairy herd manager has admitted the illegal discharge of effluent.
