A new technology research institute called Plantech is planned for western Bay of Plenty using the region’s horticulture industry as a testing ground for new technologies and services.

Rural service provider PGG Wrightson, majority owned by Chinese conglomerate Agria, will announce its annual results next week.

Animal health experts are warning that the outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis disease on a large South Canterbury farm could be “a potential game changer”.

Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman Duncan Coull has been re-elected unopposed for another 12-month term.

Many farms are not where they should be in average pasture cover for this time of year.

Two dairy women – “humble and leading from the heart” – are among nominees in the Westpac ‘Women of Influence’ awards scheme.

Holstein Friesian New Zealand (HFNZ) believes the next big thing in the bull industry has arrived.

A Tasmanian dairy farmer’s milk is going into high-nutrition foods for ageing Japanese, Fonterra reports.

China is likely to remain the largest export market for New Zealand dairy products – but watch out for competition from Australia, a new report warns.

Butter prices last week burst through the US$6000/tonne mark for the first time in GDT Event history, hitting US$6004/t for the tenth time this year.