For several years scientists at Massey University have promoted the idea of using herb pasture mixes such as chicory, plantain and red and white clover.

All eye are on Fonterra this week to see if it lifts its $4.70/kgMS forecast after the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) Index price last week surged 10.1%.

Dairy farmers are still wary despite three successive lifts in global dairy auction prices.

Dairy prices have bottomed out and are on a tentative and slow recovery path. That’s the consensus of four agri economists spoken to by Dairy News after last week’s Global Dairy Trade auction saw a 1% lift overall and notably a 3.8% lift in whole milk powder.

FONTERRA IS ruling out clawing back money from its farmer suppliers despite some being paid more than the latest revised forecast payout.

Four months ago, we considered several months of downward movements in dairy commodity prices on international markets. 

POLICY WORK on the $150m extension to the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) announced just before the election is now being carried out, says Communications Minister Amy Adams.

IT IS great to see Trade Minister Tim Groser and DCANZ executive director Kimberly Crewther taking a positive stance on the news that Australia and China have signed a free trade agreement.

ORGANIC DAIRY farmers are being asked to do too many tricks for too small a treat, say disillusioned formerly certified organic dairy farmers.

INVERMAY AND AgResearch continue to be a worry. The Rural News headline ‘Call for head’s head’ reports that Minister Steven Joyce is referring stakeholder concerns about the Future Footprint Proposal (FFP) for Invermay to the AgResearch board. As the board approved the actions in the first place, the likelihood of anything changing is slim.