Traditional farming challenges are being compounded by recessionary economic conditions and modern farming methods, says Waikato efarming entrepreneur Peter Floyd.

Students looking to fund their agriculture or engineering studies have until October 28 to apply for one of four Ballance Agri-Nutrients scholarships.

FARMERS IN the Horizons region say they could deny access to their properties to members of Fish and Game as a result of its stance on the infamous One Plan and the recently announced decisions on it from the Environment Court. 

FONTERRA CHIEF executive Theo Spierings is expected to announce this week that the co-op’s annual revenues have for the first time exceeded $20 billion. The achievement caps Spierings first year at the helm of the co-op. 

THE MILK payout used to be the main driver of the farm property market, but not anymore, says Bayley’s country property specialist, John Barnett.

ABOUT 25% of dairy farms will “have significant liquidity risk” this year on current forecasts for costs and milk price, says DairyNZ senior economist Matt Newman.

AS THE soil starts warming up over the next few months, farmers will be preparing to fertilise their paddocks. For business efficiency and environmental protection it’s important to bear in mind the risks of applying too much fertiliser, and applying it in the wrong place or at the wrong time.

The Waikato Regional Council is looking at One Plan and implications for its own water policies.

Fonterra is considering consolidating brands to arrest a decline in its Australian business.

Beef and Lamb NZ's latest new season outlook has beef production pegged for a 7.8% lift to 2.3 million head in the 2012-13 season. This is largely linked to the carryover of cull cows from last season given the excellent conditions though fewer beef cow replacements are being retained and more dairy culls are likely, given the ever expanding NZ dairy herd.