With the official cash rate due out on Thursday, farmer confidence at the beginning of the 2012-13 season has plummeted in Federated Farmers latest farm confidence survey.

Fresh heavy rain around the region over Sunday and Monday means the Waikato Regional Council is again closely monitoring river levels in the region for flood risk.

Meat processor and exporter Alliance Group has underlined its environmental credentials by making its innovative Hoofprint programme progressively available to all suppliers.

New Zealanders need to hear more about the great progress farmers are making to lift their environmental performance, says Ballance Agri-Nutrients chairman David Graham.

Potatoes New Zealand business manager Ron Gall has announced his resignation after 22 years working with the industry representative.

In a move away from the corporate branding traditionally used on milk tankers, the Tatua Cooperative Dairy Company's milk tanker graphics have been upgraded to feature a giant Dairy Whip can.

The first South Island wool sale of the season continued in the same vein as last week's North Island sale with all price indicators weakening further.

A MAF committee set up in 2008 specifically to identify emerging biosecurity risks never discussed a virulent strain of Psa devastating kiwifruit vines offshore. And a MAF risk analysis team responsible for monitoring offshore developments was “unaware pollen imports were even taking place”.

FEILDING farm consultant says many farmers feed animals well, but don’t make any money out of it.

DAIRY FARMERS have to accept they are the target of a rapidly increasing number of evangelistic environmentalists.