A new rail link into Fonterra Darfield's site opened today and is expected to carry 200,000 metric tonnes of milk powder in its first year of operation.

MANY SHEEP and beef farmers will need to arrange bank help to carry them through the drought, says Professor Keith Woodford, Lincoln University.

Last week lamb prices remained stable with most at $4.30-4.40/kg (gross). Lamb space has still been pretty jammed up but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel now.

A NEW supplier in the side-by-side farm utility market, Avatar, offers two models: an 800cc an 1100cc, both with EFI petrol engines, CVT auto transmissions and, most importantly for hill country farmers, engine braking.

WE ARE rapidly approaching the final quarter of a season many Australian dairy farmers will want to forget.

The 9200 bales on offer at the South Island sale this week saw an 89% clearance with a generally firm to slightly dearer market, NZ Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson says.

The combined North and South Island auction offering of 24,400 bales saw a 91% clearance and a firm to dearer market across the board, NZ Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.

The 9400 bales on offer in the South Island this week saw a 91% clearance and an overall stronger market, says NZ Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson.

Farmgate prices for works cattle were still under some downward pressure this week with big numbers of dairy cows coming forward for slaughter.

In what has to be one of the most novel ways of promoting a wine region, the Ningxia Wine Challenge has also provided the local province with an abundance of international knowledge.