OPINION: As a co-operative, Ravensdown has a responsibility to monitor market and industry trends for farmers and growers.

New DairyNZ chief financial officer Robyn Marsh started last week, an appointment DairyNZ says will provide strong financial direction, vision, and profitable management.

The competition is heating up ahead of the New Zealand Young Farmer (NZYF) Tournament National Final, set to be held in Timaru next month.

For the much-maligned dairy industry, NZ's primary export returns for 2023 would be looking grim.

It's reported that just over 100,000 people attended this year's four day National Fieldays at Mystery Creek near Hamilton. As expected, the number of people attednign the event and exhibitors was well down on pre-Covid numbers and, according to reporter Peter Burke who first attended the event in 1981, this year was quite different.

Scion scientists have embarked on important new research to find out how much methane is being consumed by microorganisms in New Zealand's planted forest soils.

OPINION: Kiwi dairy farmers continuously strive to be world-leaders in pasture-based production, emissions efficiency and animal care. Our sector's success in global trade relies on these factors.

The absence of Chinese demand from the global market is keeping dairy prices subdued.

Fonterra farmer shareholders always look to their co-operative to pay them the highest sustainable milk price, and understandably they ask questions when they see global differences in milk price, says Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson.

In light of recent heavy rain and flooding in the Tairawhiti and Hawke’s Bay region, the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) is advising those in the region to put their safety first and contact their insurer early if their property is hit by floods or slips.