FONTERRA HAS told the primary production select committee it is 'broadly supportive' of the DIRA Bill and says it's pivotal to its future.

FONTERRA HAS come under fire from its competitors at the primary production select committee hearing into the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (DIRA Bill).

COLOSTRUM BASED products to be made at a new $10 million New Image Group plant in Auckland are an example of “more of where New Zealand’s primary industry is going,” says Trade Minister Tim Groser.

THE KAPENGA M dairy farm has a simple philosophy: maintain ownership and grow its people’s expertise in farming.

Southland farmers Grant and Bernie Weller love talking about their farm and the challenges of balancing profitability with environmental sustainability.

WORKSHOPS BEGAN last week nationwide to help dairywomen better manage staff, say the organisers, Dairy Womens Network.

Around 40 farm managers and workers joined industry experts at Taratahi's Wairarapa Campus last week to learn more about improving dairy herd fertility through the Dairy NZ In-Calf programme.

With gloomy trade news almost daily, farmers are likely to revise their farm budgets downwards. Given pastoral agriculture spends around $13 billion on goods and services each year, this has implications for both the provincial and national economy.

Nearly 700 people will attend the 2012 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards annual awards dinner, where the winners of the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions will be announced.

NIWA is predicting average to above average temperatures for early winter, May to July, for most of the country – except for "near average" in the east of the South Island.