Global Dairy Prices Surge with GDT Index Up 18% in 2026
Global dairy prices are on a roll, recording a fourth consecutive jump on the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction this year.
» Featured
Primary Exports Boom Helps Lift PGW Half-Year Earnings
Booming primary sector exports are helping lift earnings for farm service providers.
Global Demand Drives Strong Wool Prices Up 130% in New Zealand
The world is waking up to the disadvantages of carpets derived from petrochemicals, creating opportunities for New Zealand strong wool.
Red Meat Sector Experiences Record Returns in 2025/26 Season
The red meat sector finds itself in "a very rare set of circumstances", says Federated Farmers meat and wool industry chair Richard Dawkins.
AgriSea NZ Appoints Craig Hudson as Chief Growth Officer to Drive Global Expansion
Agrisea NZ has appointed Craig Hudson as it's new chief growth officer.
State Farmer Delivers Solid Half-Year Result
State farmer Landcorp, trading as Pamu, is a forecasting a full-year net profit of around $100 million.
National
Global Trade Uncertainty 'Likely To Remain'
Global trade has been thrown into another bout of uncertainty following the overnight ruling by US Supreme Court, striking down President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on trading partners.
Green Light for Fonterra's $3.2b Capital Return Scheme
Fonterra farmer shareholders have approved the mechanism for a $2/share capital return expected from the sale of its global consumer and associated businesses.
Alex Turnbull Appointed CEO of Yili Oceania Division
Former Fonterra executive Alex Turnbull has been appointed CEO to lead all five Yili Oceania Business Division companies in New Zealand.
Dedoncker Departs Fonterra After Mainland Group Sale
Fonterra executive René Dedoncker is leaving the co-operative later this year to lead Australian agribusiness Elders.
World
Arla Foods delivers $15b revenue as Co-op turns 25
European dairy giant Arla Foods celebrated its 25th anniversary as a cross-border, farmer-owned co-operative with a solid half-year result.
Nestle reportedly withdraws from methane accord
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows…NZ–Canada dairy trade dispute resolved
The long running trade dispute between NZ and Canada appears to be over.Europe’s largest dairy co-operative to launch in 2026 as Arla Foods and DMK merge
The creation of Europe's largest dairy co-operative should be complete by early 2026.Young Aussie farmers gain global insights on study tour to Ireland
Twenty four young farmers from South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania have returned from a recent study tour of Ireland…Opinion
Managing Magnesium, Calcium, and Phosphorus in Late Lactation Dairy Cows
OPINION: Late lactation is often viewed as a low-demand phase, when cows are winding down, and we dial down our…
Editorial: Morale booster
OPINION: The first three Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions have been a morale booster for farmers.Sewage spill stinks of double standards
OPINION: This month Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant failed catastrophically, sending an estimated 70 million litres of untreated sewage…Return on R&D investment
OPINION: Farmers are the biggest investors in research in New Zealand. Whether through taxes, rates, co-operative company retentions, or industry-body…A highlight on the regional council’s annual calendar
OPINION: As the Northland Agricultural Field Days celebrates an impressive 40 years, Northland Regional Council (NRC) extends its congratulations to…Agribusiness
Primary Exports Boom Helps Lift PGW Half-Year Earnings
Booming primary sector exports are helping lift earnings for farm service providers.
AgriSea NZ Appoints Craig Hudson as Chief Growth Officer to Drive Global Expansion
Agrisea NZ has appointed Craig Hudson as it's new chief growth officer.State Farmer Delivers Solid Half-Year Result
State farmer Landcorp, trading as Pamu, is a forecasting a full-year net profit of around $100 million.Ruralco CEO Wins Excellence in Business Leadership at ANZ Business of the Year Awards
Tony Aitken, chief executive of Ruralco, has been awarded the Excellence in Business Leadership Award at the ANZ Business of…Pāmu Welcomes 2026 Apprentices as 100% of Pilot Cohort Secure Farm Roles
Pāmu has welcomed ten new apprentices into its 2026 intake, marking the second year of a scheme designed to equip…Management
Dairy Farmers Urged to Review High-GWP Refrigerants as Phase-Down Accelerates
Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.
Supreme All Breeds Exhibit and Champion Titles Highlight Gilbert Family Success
One team with 43 head, including a contingent from Mid Canterbury, are reflecting on a stellar NZ DairyEvent.
Farmers Report Gains with Array Ryegrass
It may still be under the radar for many, but one new pasture has been making waves for three different farmers lately.
Massey University and UCD Strengthen Agricultural Research and Teaching Collaboration
Expect greater collaboration between Massey University’s school of Agriculture and Environment and Ireland’s leading agriculture university, the University College of Dublin (UCD), in the future.
Barenbrug upgrades Maxsyn Ryegrass to lift persistence and summer yield
Anxious about pasture persistence?
Farm Health
Bovonic Study Shows $29,547 Seasonal Benefit for NZ Dairy Farmers
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.
Free Stall Barn Enables Year-Round Feeding and Milking in Southland
When Ian Smith built a 520-bed free stall barn on his Drummond dairy farm in 2014, it changed the way he farmed.
Non-Grass Forage Crops for Finishing Lambs: Nutrition, Growth and Parasite Management
Wormwise vet and farmer Mary Bowron draws on her experience to outline the critical steps required to effectively manage worms on forage crops used for finishing lambs.
Ergot Toxins: Hidden summer threat to cow health
Summer can be a tricky period on farm. Cows approach the summer period milking well, but the summer heat causes rapid changes in pasture.
Recycled gloves – a better option for vets, farmers
New Zealand's animal health industry has a new tool addressing a long-standing sustainability issue.
Machinery & Products
Massey Ferguson 5M Series Gains Ground in NZ’s 95–145hp Utility Tractor Market
Since its official release to the New Zealand market in July 2025, the Massey Ferguson 5M Series has steadily solidified its position.
Claas Invests €3.3 Million in Metz Plant to Boost CEREX and CUBIX Baler Production
Following the €1.6 million investment in a prototype workshop in early 2025, Claas has invested an additional €3.3 million at its Metz-Woippy baler production plant to increase production capacity.
Carrfields Appointed New Authorised Fendt IDEAL Combine Dealer Across New Zealand
Ashburton based Carrfields has announced its appointment as the new authorised Fendt IDEAL combine harvester dealer across New Zealand with immediate effect.
Fieldays Innovation Awards 2026 Call for Entries Across Primary Sector
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society is calling for entries to the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards, with successful applicants showcased during Fieldays 10–13 June, at Mystery Creek.
Claas Jaguar 1000 and Orbis 10500 Win ASABE Innovation Awards
After its flagship 1200 model set a Guiness World Record in forage harvesting, mopping up 4096 tonnes of whole crop silage in 12 hours, Claas has picked up a brace of awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE).
Motoring
Kia Tasman ute launches in NZ
Stepping into the already crowded ute market, it’s important to bring your best game. Kia look to have done just…
Ford's new addition
Ford New Zealand has announced the addition of the Everest Tremor as a rugged and capable expansion of its hugely…Jimny goes 5-door
Fifty years ago, Suzuki was a pioneer in developing a small Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with fourwheel drive capability and…Big tick for a big truck
Electric cars and big American trucks can both bring a little anxiety, but for different reasons.RAM hits 20K!
In a market dominated by utes, Ram Trucks Australia has just put the finishing touches on its 20,000th right-hand drive…» Latest Print Issues Online
The Hound
Bulldust!
OPINION: Here w go: the election date is set for November 7 and the politicians are out of the gate…
No good news?
OPINION: ECan data was released a few days ago showing Canterbury farmers have made “giant strides on environmental performance”.
Milking It
Disunity is death
OPINION: Staying with politics, with less than nine months to go before the general elections, there’s confusion in the Labour…
Indian FTA
OPINION: Winston Peters' tirade against the free trade deal stitched with India may not be all political posturing by the…
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Environment Canterbury urges buyers to check wastewater systems on rural properties
Buying or building a rural or semi-rural property? Make sure you know where the wastewater goes, says Environment Canterbury.
Fonterra confirms timeline for Lactalis deal and $2-per-share capital return
The sale of Fonterra’s global consumer and related businesses is expected to be completed within two months.
Canterbury arable farmers face heavy losses after stormy January wreaks havoc
Canterbury arable farmers are down by tens of millions of dollars after a rollercoaster of wild changeable January weather saw harvests…
