Dairy industry darling Synlait has hit troubled waters lately and its latest captain is baling out.

Concerns about the threat posed to New Zealand's trading reputation by live animal exports from this country have led to a move to shut down the trade.

Government moves to end New Zealand's live export trade will shut down a $500 million-a-year business - as well as diminish farmers' selling options and profitability.

OPINION: Eleven cows from Auckland's Cornwall Park will no longer be exported to Mongolia to participate in a breeding programme.

OPINION: The non-performing China Farms have always been a source of headaches for Fonterra.

After years of losses, Fonterra's two wholly owned China farming hubs in Ying and Yutian have been sold.

Dairy prices at last week's Global Dairy Trade auction remained largely unchanged but the news remains positive for New Zealand dairy farmers.

OPINION: The lucky country is New Zealand.

OPINION: This old mutt reckons Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor too often suffers from 'foot in mouth' disease.

Rabobank reports that the future global outlook is clearer and more hopeful than it has been for months.