AN AGGRESSIVE regrassing programme could raise EBIT/ha from venison finishing nearly $1000/ha, judging by figures presented to a Deer Industry New Zealand focus farm field day last week.

The West Coast is today forwarding its request to the Ministry for Primary Industries for a medium scale adverse event declaration.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy was impressed by the scale of Brazilian agriculture when he met with Brazilian Agriculture Minister Mendes Ribeiro Filho in Brasilia at the end of a nine-day trade mission to Latin America led by Prime Minister John Key.

DairyNZ chairman John Luxton receives the supreme honour today as one of four recipients of this year's Massey University Distinguished Alumni awards.

Fonterra's European policy and advocacy manager Kimberly Crewther will return to New Zealand in June to become the new general manager of policy and advocacy for industry body DairyNZ.

Winning the 2013 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year title has proved a natural progression for Russell and Nadine Meade (pictured).

By winning the 2013 Waikato Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year title, Andrew and Michelle McPherson are well positioned to attract business growth opportunities.

Cattle continue to pour out for slaughter with cows leading the charge. Some companies continue to focus heavily on killing cows with less space being allocated for steer or bull.

Environment Southland is closely monitoring river and groundwater levels as dry weather continues in the region, with no significant rain predicted until next Friday, March 15.

RESEARCH AND Development hubs such as Lincoln, Ruakura and Palmerston North are a great asset but they should have more input from private companies as well as the traditional institutions of the universities and Crown Research Institutes, says Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.