As 2021 draws to a close and 2022 approaches, Leo Argent takes a look back at the year gone by, reviewing some of the major stories that appeared in Rural News which shaped farming industry news this year.

A man who dedicated his whole working life to the meat industry died suddenly on December 5.

Overall the NZ economy has performed more strongly than anticipated, according to the ANZ Agri Focus Report.

An efficient New Zealand manufacturing base, diversified markets and a global supply chain helped Fonterra stay ahead of the game during the pandemic.

A website has been set up to fight the Government's plan to phase out livestock exports from 2023.

Fonterra farmers have received some good news this morning: a higher forecast milk price for this season.

Covid-19 has brought massive disruptions and huge cost increases to the world's shipping routes.

Red meat prices are continuing their golden run on the back of tight global supply.

Fonterra's balance sheet took an $880 million hit from its ill-fated China Farms and Beingmate investments.

The monthly value of goods exports in October 2021 rose $552 million (12%) from October 2020, to $5.3 billion, according to Statistics NZ.