Fonterra and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have announced a $20 million community investment to improve the natural habitats of some key waterways around New Zealand over the next 10 years.

Cam Brown is the fourth Grand Finalist to be named for the 2013 ANZ Young Farmer Contest. He earned his win over the weekend, Friday, March 1, at the Taranaki/Manawatu Regional Final in Palmerston North held at the Railway Land and Awapuni Racecourse.

New Zealand-based Fonterra and Netherlands-based A-ware Food Group have given the green light to develop a new cheese plant and dairy ingredients plant in Heerenveen in the north of the Netherlands.

With more dairy farm staff entering the industry from urban backgrounds an animal husbandry expert says there has to be more emphasis placed on stockmanship skills.

Farmgate prices for works cattle were still under some downward pressure this week with big numbers of dairy cows coming forward for slaughter.

Women looking for new ways of promoting their small rural business are encouraged to enter the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2013.

A $54,000 grant to St John from Federated Farmers will help the organisation continue its important community work.

The way farms and rural businesses deal with waste is the focus of a study being done for Environment Canterbury.

Aaron Passey is the latest Grand Finalist for the ANZ Young Farmer Contest having narrowly taken first place over the weekend (Saturday, February 23) at the East Coast Regional Final in Woodville.

Half of the country's eligible schools have now expressed interest in Fonterra Milk for Schools.