It's a bloody tough year for sheep farmers, but the worst may be over, and the future looks optimistic.

In a “watershed vote”, Synlait shareholders have approved a recapitalisation plan that hands over control of the listed milk processor to China conglomerate Bright Dairy.

OPINION: New Zealand's dairy exports have been the backbone of the country's economy for several decades, and exports remain buoyant despite pandemic-era disruptions and impending downturns in East Asia in the next few years.

A 2022 Nuffield scholar, Lucie Douma, was brought up on a Southland dairy farm and as a hobby likes the risky business of trail running and ultra marathons.

The 63rd National Holstein Friesian Bull sale this week (September 18) will mark 54 consecutive years that retiring Kerepehi breeder Michael Lynch has entered and sold his bulls at the event.

Confusion seems to reign in the supermarkets, especially in China where consumers are faced with multiple messages about products and have little time to work out if the messages are correct.

A complaint by Synlait founder John Penno over the listed milk processor’s recapitalisation plan has been dismissed by regulators.

Despite last week’s drop in global dairy prices, consensus is emerging among economists that the season’s milk price will end up near $9/kgMS.

Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland believes that after some challenging years, there are some positive signs in the market for red meat farmers.

Embattled milk processor Synlait is the latest to increase its forecast base milk price for the 2024/25 season.