Chinese strategy
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
The world's fourth largest dairy company Danone is spending more money to spruce up its vegan dairy offerings in a bid to boost sales.
It plans to launch new technology: 'plant-based 2.0' under the company's current plant-based milk brands as Silk NextMilk and So Delicious Wondermilk in the US, and Alpro Not Milk in Europe.
Danone says it wants to make key improvements to the taste and texture of its products so that they appeal to the majority of consumers who don't currently purchase plant-based milk beverages.
It points out that 60% of consumers are still not buying vegan milk products, the barrier being primarily product taste and product texture.
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.