Fonterra's decision to drop its 2011-12 forecast payout by 15c/kgMS demonstrates the trade exposed nature of our primary industries, says Federated Farmers Dairy chairman Willy Leferink.

The establishment of a regional water entity could well be the way forward for Canterbury - and the place to debate this will be the IrrigationNZ conference in Timaru next month.

New Zealand's leading rural recycling programme is running a rewards initiative this autumn to encourage more farmers to recycle.

Starting a family provided the impetus for 2012 Northland Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year, Miles Harrison and Lucy Heffernan, to commit to the dairy industry.

The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) yesterday cleared German company BayWa Ag to take over Turners and Growers.

It's Taranaki Anniversary Day on Monday – but for the eight Young Farmers competing in The National Bank Young Farmer Contest, this won't be a day for relaxing.

Animal nutrient provider, SealesWinslow has appointed Graeme Smith as chief executive, effective May 1.

GOT A tripod fuel tank? Then best look into replacing it or you might not get it filled in future, fuel companies and farmer representatives say.

You could almost sense the relief among Lincoln University Dairy Farm’s management team at the Focus Day held recently on the showcase 160ha irrigated property.

People change behaviours when the rewards are right. These rewards can be economic and/or emotional – but they have to be greater than the cost (including energy) of implementation of the change, and the cost of not changing.