Two highly respected international wine personalities will be joining this year's Air New Zealand Wine Awards judging panel.

Winning a gold medal or a trophy at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards is no longer the only criteria for wines being served in Business Premier on future Air NZ flights.

"Everyone in the wine business knows that it is possible, but no one in New Zealand has done it to this degree."

Meat Industry Excellence (MIE) says Silver Fern Farms shareholders need to carefully scrutinise the capital-raising proposal put forward by the cooperative’s board.

The New Zealand Wine Intermediate Certificate was launched in Shanghai recently, giving Chinese wine consumers the chance to learn about New Zealand's diverse wine style.The education programme was developed by New Zealand Winegrowers and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise in response to a growing demand for information about New Zealand wine from consumers across China.

Beef exports are up 46%($61 million) in August 2015 compared with August 2014, says Statistics New Zealand.

John Dawson, CEO of NZWSI, reports that the South Island sale this week saw a strong market with steady support.

John Dawson, CEO of NZWSI, reports that the South Island sale this week saw a strong market with steady support.

Fonterra chief executive, Theo Spierings, says improved second half results in the 2015 financial year were driven by a strong focus on cash and costs.

Fonterra has lifted its 2015-16 forecast payout by 75 cents to $5.00 to $5.10/kgMS. The farmgate milk price increases to $4.60 and the dividend payment remains at 40 to 50c/share.