Fonterra is splashing out $700 million to improve its manufacturing operations and supply chain emissions footprint.

An appeal to address the urban/rural divide was made at the opening day of the recently held Rural Contractors NZ conference in Invercargill.

OPINION: Last month I stood with farmers and industry leaders on farms in Canterbury and the Wairarapa to launch the Farm Without Harm strategy.

Dairy

A new white paper by agricultural banking specialist Rabobank says a holistic approach targeting improved emissions efficiency and supporting increased food production is key to balancing New Zealand's competing environmental, economic and social priorities.

Planning is already underway to make exporters aware of the opportunities of the recently signed free trade agreement between NZ and the EU.

New Zealand's first female FMG Young Farmer of the Year recipient Emma Poole hopes to be an inspiration for other women in the sector.

Fonterra farmers are up in arms about plans to review its Farm Source retail business that could reduce face-to- face interaction with shareholders.

While most dairy farmers are heading into spring calving with lush grass cover, cows may need more starch and energy to compensate for pasture deficiencies this season.

With calving underway, dairy farmers are being urged to be vigilant for coccidiosis by planning their calf feeding regimes and using nutrition to combat the potentially fatal disease.