Visitor numbers on the opening day of the 2014 National Fieldays at Mystery Creek was down from last year; and the weather may be to blame.

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Minister Nathan Guy says new figures show primary sector exports will reach record levels of $37.7b over the last year – around $1.3b more than previously forecast.

A SLIGHTLY easier New Zealand dollar, limited wool supply and steady shipping demand combined to lift prices across the board at the South Island sale, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.

SYNLAIT HAS reduced its forecast net profit after tax by about $7.5 million in this financial year.

FONTERRA AND NESTLÉ have realigned their 10-year old Dairy Partners Americas (DPA) 50/50 joint venture and signed binding agreements covering the revised scope of the alliance.

FONTERRA HAS announced a forecast opening farmgate milk price of $7k/gMS for the 2014/15 season.

AUCKLAND INFANT formula manufacturer GMP Dairy is doubling production capability: a new production line to be commissioned next year will allow the company to manufacture over 30 million cans annually.

A‘BLACK box’ traceability concept is behind one of New Zealand’s most innovative infant formula manufacturers winning accreditation in China.

NEW ZEALAND’S free trade deal with China has been questioned as the dairy industry grapples with that country’s new rules on infant formula imports.

MILK POWDER, BUTTER, and cheese led an increase in exports in April, with their value up over one-third, to $1.2 billion, compared with April 2013.