By the time you read this Fonterra’s Milk for Schools initiative will have launched in Northland. Given the idea stemmed from concern about the perceived high price of milk in the shops, it’s ironic that the launch should come just after the cooperative has cut its payout forecast. Milk prices internationally are on the wane and our dollar is doing dairy, and sheep and beef returns come to that, no favours.

There appear to be two key issues facing farmers presently: corporatisation of New Zealand farms, as highlighted by the recent Crafar case; and the very real prospect of greater regulation, highlighted by Henry van der Heyden's warning of the need to stay ahead of the game in sustainability.

PADDOCK TO packet it said on the invite, and that's what visitors got at the recent Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year field day.

WITH JUST 5% of Canterbury's wetlands remaining, every little bit of protection for what's left helps.

THE DEER industry has always punched above its weight, becoming a leading force in New Zealand farming.

DON'T GET complacent just because there's plenty of grass and ewes are in good nick going to the ram, a leading vet's warning.

WHILE quad bike accidents, some of them fatal, continue to make headlines, a North King Country farmer has modified his bike to keep himself out of the statistics.

ONE OF the bigger bits of kit at South Island Field Days was the Pottinger Jumbo 6010 self loading wagon on the Origin Agroup stand and owned by McStay Contracting of Woodlands.

An industry-backed trip to Europe will provide an award-winning farming couple with an opportunity to showcase New Zealand's stance on agricultural sustainability.

Last weekend’s sunny weather saw people turn up in droves to Federated Farmers fourth annual Farm Day. Around 5000 people came along to the six host farms in Palmerston North, Christchurch, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Wellington; about 500 more people than last year.