Businesses in rural areas are feeling the effects of a marked slowdown in the agricultural sector, according the latest MYOB Business Monitor.

Small Waikato milk processor Tatua's payout has again left other dairy co-ops trailing behind.

Since the SFF/Shanghai Maling deal was announced earlier last month some SFF shareholders, and other critics, have expressed concerns about the implications of foreign investment.

Agriculture product sales growth in US, China and South America enabled Skellerup to increase its agri division earnings despite the slightly softer New Zealand market, says chair Sir Selwyn Cushing.

Farmgate milk price forecasts by at least two banks, ASB and BNZ, have now been hiked upwards to $5/kgMS for the 2015-16 season.

Low milk prices have not only affected farmgate returns in New Zealand, they blew a $44 million hole last financial year in Fonterra's China farm business.

Claims that Silver Fern Farms approached the Government for funding and/or sought a meeting with Finance Minister Bill English for over a year have been debunked by the co-op's chair Rob Hewett.

The last 20 years of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have provided an objective framework to base our international trade and seen the Feds provide great assistance to small countries like New Zealand.

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.