FONTERRA IS the fourth-largest dairy company globally in Rabobank’s rankings released last week but the bank expects vigorous competition in the coming year as companies ‘jostle’ to position themselves for changing markets.

AS FONTERRA’S Kauri factory in Northland kicked into gear on July 5, the cooperative was finishing off $100 million of maintenance upgrade nationwide.

With the official cash rate due out on Thursday, farmer confidence at the beginning of the 2012-13 season has plummeted in Federated Farmers latest farm confidence survey.

NITROGEN IS up and DAP down in the two main fertiliser cooperative’s latest price list revisions.

THE NEW Zealand Veterinary Association is supporting calls for greater protection of animal health product intellectual property.

LAST WEEK’S GlobalDairyTrade rebound of 13.5% is a sign the market is bottoming out say analysts, though they caution it’s only one result and dairy commodities aren’t out of the woods yet.

TAF IS coming down to the wire as evidenced by articles in Dairy News March 13.

Farmer royalty will gather this month to acknowledge the best breeding brains, and bulls, in the country.

USING BREEDING values as part of your bull buying strategy could add thousands of dollars to the bottom line of your business – but only if you, or your agent, understand the principals and, crucially, financial implications.