Chinese strategy
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
One of the world's biggest dairy companies, Danone, aims to cut methane emissions from its fresh-milk supply chain by almost one-third over the next seven years.
It claims to be the first major food company to set targets in line with a pledge by 150 countries to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas from cows.
Danone, which makes dairy products such as yoghurt and kefir, will focus on three ways to reduce methane starting with ensuring farmers take better care of cows.
It says a well-managed and healthy herd can result in lower emissions per litre of milk and improve farmers’ livelihoods through better efficiency.
The French dairy group wants to manage manure better too and has projects in Belgium, Spain and the US where waste is converted into renewable biogas to stop it fermenting and emitting more methane.
Keratin extracted from New Zealand wool could soon find its way into products used to minimise osteoporosis, promote gut health, and other anti-inflammatories, says Keraplast chief executive Howard Moore.
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
Every time people from overseas see photographs of cows up to their hocks in mud it's bad for New Zealand.
An eight million dollar, three year campaign to get wealthy Chinese to buy New Zealand beef and lamb is now underway.
The country's largest lender to the agriculture sector says it's not favouring home loans over farm and business lending.
Reeling from two consecutive years of heavy losses, Alliance says it has appointed Craigs Investment Partners to explore external capital-raising options.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.