Chinese oenology and viticulture student Fuyao Yang learned many important lessons during her 2015 vintage in Gisborne but one of the most valuable was her realisation that wines-in-the-making are like little babies which need to be watched at all times.

New Zealand is gaining a reputation as a leading educator with overseas graduates seeking further study opportunities as a springboard into employment in the wine industry.

The weakening New Zealand dollar coupled with exporter pressure to meet shipping requirements and limited supply continues to underpin the wool market, says NZWSI.

Now in its 21st year, the Romeo Bragato Conference continues to evolve.

Budget 2015 is, I believe, one of the best for the primary sector since National has been in government. 

Global beef consumption will not increase markedly in the next few years, but on the plus side it has been reaching record prices, as have all meats, says Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer for animal nutrition company Alltech.

News that China is to allow Brazilian beef back into its markets shouldn’t derail the bull run the New Zealand industry is enjoying, says leading exporter Silver Fern Farms.

Red meat farmer lobby MIE will unveil “a cunning plan” next month to push for the merger of the two major meat co-ops and block foreign investors taking a stake in the businesses.

Continued shipping pressure for China kept finer crossbreds firm at the latest wool auction however coarse wools eased as volumes available increased, says Paul Steel of NZWSI.

Westland Milk Products has confirmed its payout for the 2014-15 season will remain unchanged at $4.90 - $5.10/kgMS but its prediction for the 2015-16 is more positive.