Fonterra is considering consolidating brands to arrest a decline in its Australian business.

Beef and Lamb NZ's latest new season outlook has beef production pegged for a 7.8% lift to 2.3 million head in the 2012-13 season. This is largely linked to the carryover of cull cows from last season given the excellent conditions though fewer beef cow replacements are being retained and more dairy culls are likely, given the ever expanding NZ dairy herd.

Former New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year, Teresa Moore, is taking over as chair of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Trust.

A major problem that meat processors are facing is built up stocks of frozen lamb. Too much money was spent on lambs at the start of the season, and when overseas markets slid, processors were too slow in adjusting schedules.

New targeted approaches for nitrogen and phosphate applications are being studied in Ballance Agri-Nutrients' $32 million research programmes.

FARMERS SHOULD do comprehensive due diligence before deciding which meat processing company to sell stock to, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

SENDING STOCK to auction as a breeder is a bit like a one-night stand, Beef + Lamb director James Parson says. “It looks great at the time but there’s not much chance of repeat business.” 

COWBOY TRADERS in the China infant formula market are a short-term phenomenon, says dairy analyst Tim Morris.

NEW ZEALAND Kiwifruit Growers Inc (NZKGI) will not be taking legal action against MPI over Psa.

THE RISING average age of farmers creates succession problems not only for farms and orchards; it is also seen in the boardrooms of primary producer businesses.