As guests gathered on what is known as the Speaker's Lawn - a beautifully manicured patch of grass behind the main buildings of Parliament - to mingle and enjoy a lamb chop to celebrate National Lamb Day, the mood was very much upbeat.

Global dairy prices are on a roll, recording a fourth consecutive jump on the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction this year.

The world is waking up to the disadvantages of carpets derived from petrochemicals, creating opportunities for New Zealand strong wool.

A solid recovery of global dairy prices this year makes a $9.50/kgMS milk price almost a shoo-in for this season.

The latest Global Dairy Trade auction results have delivered a boost to dairy farmers.

A Hawke's Bay apple orchardist supports the Government's objective of doubling exports but says this won't happen in the horticulture sector unless there's a change in the process for bringing new plant material into the country.

For the most part, dairy farmers in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti and the Manawatu appear to have not been too badly affected by recent storms across the upper North Island.

Recently awarded in the New Years Honours List for Services to Agriculture and Governance, well known dairy farmer Lloyd Downing has become an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).

Regenerative viticulture has an open and evolving toolbox for growing soil, vine and ecosystem health. Speaking to industry leaders about cover crops, crimpers, swards, sheep and worm counts, Emma Jenkins MW asks whether this is the next era of New Zealand winegrowing.

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.