Troubled Chinese infant formula company Beingmate has sold a subsidiary, despite opposition from cornerstone shareholder Fonterra which owns an 18.8% interest.

Independent dairy processor Synlait is to set up an R&D centre at Massey University, Palmerston North.

Despite the stink bug nuisance, farm machinery distributors are seeing little or no effect on their logistics chains because most of their products are containerised, except for large tractors and harvesters. 

Fonterra is not the only global dairy co-op struggling to save a joint venture in China.

Agriculture is in a sweet spot, says ASB rural economist Nathan Penny.

Two key trade agreements could dictate beef sales in 2018, claims Rabobank.

A $25 million upgrade and expansion of Danone’s Auckland blending and processing plant in late February has doubled its production capacity for finished products.

Waikato farmers may switch to A2 milk provided there’s a suitable premium attached to the milk payment, says the region’s Federated Farmers president Andrew McGiven.

Fonterra has scope to lift its payout from current guidance, but its losses on Beingmate will likely weigh on its earnings and dividend payments, says New Zealand brokerage firm OMF Financial.

a2 Milk Co has struck a deal with Fonterra that will enable it, over time, to diversify its milk sourcing, processing and manufacturing to meet growing demand for its products, the company says.