Two reports out of the UK in recent weeks have some great news for New Zealand wine producers and some warnings that need to be taken on board.

Traceability is the big question for stock traders as the campaign to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis gears up, says PGG Wrightson general manager livestock, Peter Moore.

‘It was the only way forward,’ says the Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, on the decision to slaughter more than 22,000 cows with M. bovis. 

New Zealand’s second largest milk processor, Open Country Dairy is offering suppliers a fixed milk price of $6.05/kgMS for the next season.

Dry conditions in the early part of summer are suppressing milk production and squeezing dairy prices higher, says BNZ senior economist research Doug Steel.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says he would like to seem more emphasis on sustainable growth of the value -- rather than volume – of New Zealand exports.

New Zealand has a new sheep breed, shown last week at the Canterbury A&P Show.

MPI’s latest Situation and Outlook Report (SOPI) sounds a positive note: primary exports are expected to rise 9.3% to $41.6 billion in the year ended June 2018.

Cheesemakers of the world need to make a joint stand for the rights of generic cheeses, says Philip Turner, Fonterra director of global stakeholder affairs.

Fonterra chairman John Wilson says weather conditions over spring will be crucial to this season’s milk production.