AUSTRALIA IS buying New Zealand stock in its struggle to keep up with demand for export heifers particularly to China.

Primary sector export revenue is expected to decline in 2012/13, a Ministry for Primary Industries report shows.

When compared to last weeks sale in the North Island, wool was generally dearer at yesterday's sale despite a slight increase in the NZ dollar.

The People's Republic of China's Government of Guizhou Province and New Zealand's Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry of Maori Development) have launched an international agricultural exchange programme.

THE WOOL SALE held in the South Island today (Thursday) comprised 10,334 bales of which 7, 587 reached market reserves or above, New Zealand Wool Services International Limited's general manager, John Dawson reports.

AUSTRALIAN DAIRY, rice and wine exporters to Malaysia are the biggest winners in a free trade agreement (FTA) signed between the two countries last month.

NEGOTIATIONS ON the Government’s biosecurity response agreement is far from over, says Horticulture New Zealand president Andrew Fenton.

“PLEASE HELP us” is the impassioned plea from Te Puke kiwifruit grower Rob Thode, who says growers feel abandoned.

A NEWLY opened Fonterra innovation centre in Shanghai will develop dairy products and ingredients for the China market.

Compared to last week's North Island auction on the May 17 the weaker New Zealand dollar and restricted supplies, coupled with renewed overseas buying, combined to lift prices for the 7885 bales of South Island wool on offer this week, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson advises.