Rabobank forecasts New Zealand's beef prices to firm next quarter, as supplies tighten after the higher, drought-induced slaughter volumes, and forecasts of a wetter-than-average winter also encourage producers to retain stock.

New rules for meat exports to China will be implemented today, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye say.

Westland Milk finished the season with a 5.3% increase in milk processed on last season, despite the drought on the West Coast.

A farmer-written report that explores our marketing of primary produce in Korea, Taiwan and China is "recommended reading".

Synlait Milk plans to raise $75 million new primary capital and will also hold a secondary sell down set at about $45 million.

PRICES FOR most fertilisers are down with the two main suppliers releasing new but as usual almost identical price lists.

A MARKET is emerging in China for cleaner, greener food and if this could happen in China, it could happen anywhere, says Australian sustainability advisor Paul Gilding.

THE GLOBAL business environment is evolving so quickly it’s “about running to keep up so we are not made obsolete,” Zespri chief Lain Jager says. 

THERE ARE growing concerns about the actions – or lack of them in many cases – of the Ministry for Primary Industries in relation to its core functions.

SITTING IN the World Farmers Organisation general assembly in Japan – the ‘UN of farming’ – I was struck by how farmers feed families the world over.