Federated Farmers representatives have described Michael Spaans as a “kauri in the forest” and “an asset to the dairy sector and agriculture” with his extensive governance acumen.

Even when ill, DairyNZ chairman Michael Spaans still made an effort to add value to the organisation.

The new strategy for the dairy sector will lead to a longer conversation about what New Zealand’s future farm and food systems could look like.

Westland Milk Products (WMP) chief executive Toni Brendish says the co-op may in future look beyond the cow for the products it makes.

Fonterra is joining the efforts to raise awareness about family violence.

Waikato dairy farmer Jim van der Poel has been elected the new chairman of industry good body, DairyNZ.

In Marlborough alone it is estimated that more than 145,000 wooden vineyard posts are broken every year.

Improving basic animal husbandry and health care in rams would likely increase longevity regardless of breed or strain of breed, a study found.

Professor Jon Hickford, from Lincoln University’s faculty of agriculture and life sciences, gives his view on where the new government should focus in its primary sector policy.

It makes grim reading to see that agricultural deaths have numbered 124 over the last seven years – about four times higher than in construction or forestry.