OPINION: Spring is a critical season for farmers – a time when the right decisions can set the tone for productivity and profitability throughout the year.

Alliance Group's proposal to sell a 65% shareholding to Ireland's Dawn Meats won't solve the red meat industry's structural problems, says former Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams.

OPINION: The global dairy market continues to show resilience, and farmers remain cautiously optimistic as we move into the latter half of 2025.

Agricultural support giant PGG Wrightson will pay a dividend this year on the back of an improved performance buoyed by increased optimism in the sector.

According to the latest Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Stock Number Survey, sheep numbers have fallen by 1% while beef cattle numbers rose by 4.4%.

Fertiliser co-operative Ravensdown is working on delivering a rebate for its farmer shareholders next year - the first in four years.

Dairy farmers are shoring up their balance sheets, with almost $1.7 billion of debt repaid in the six months to March 2025.

While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is expected to bring increased downside risks.

The profitability of dairy farmers is likely to increase in the coming year, accordign to the latest report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the outlook for the primary sector.

Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.