DAIRYNZ IS encouraging farmers to improve their financial management skills especially given the current volatility of the global economic environment.

HAWKE’S BAY dairy farmers Nick and Nicky Dawson are proud to stand up for their industry. The Patoka couple, who farm in an equity partnership on two farms northwest of Napier, were winners of the LIC Dairy Farm Award in this year’s East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

AUSTRALIAN DAIRY processor Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB) ended the 2012 financial year 17.8% down on the previous year with a net operating profit after tax of $A15.2 million. But the result – $A3.3million less than 2011 – was stronger than the 20-30% reduction forecast in June.

FEDERATED FARMERS has slammed the Environment Court for the changes it’s made to Horizons Regional Council’s controversial One Plan. It warns dairy farmers could be forced off their land by some of the new rules.

NEW ZEALAND infant formula exports to China face growing scrutiny.

With less than eight weeks to go before on-farm water meters become compulsory, IrrigationNZ is worried one third of irrigators in Canterbury and two thirds in Otago have yet to install them.

Nominations for the 2012 Fonterra Elections open today (September 10).

INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS set repeatedly by Polaris quads in ride quality show these machines to be “getting better and better,” says maker Polaris Industries.

POWER FARMING is consolidating its brand offerings as it prepares to host at least 80 New Zealanders at Australia’s largest working field days.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is making good progress in implementing the recommendations of the recent independent review of imports of kiwifruit plant material.