Entering the Taranaki Ballance Farm Environment Awards was a great challenge for Opunake dairy farmers Kenneth and Rachel Short.

Your old mate was always convinced that a shady cabal of players had hooked their wagons – behind the scenes – to the failed attempt to ‘shanghai’ the proposed Silver Fern Farms and Shanghai Maling merger.

Silver Fern Farms welcomes the Overseas Investment Office’s (OIO) approval of the application by Shanghai Maling to invest $261m into the company to create a 50/50 partnership.

Federated Farmers says legal action announced last week against the Horizons Regional Council shows “some people just can’t accept that industry and councils can work together effectively”.

Lincoln University vice-chancellor professor Robin Pollard is reaffirming the university’s commitment to the agriculture sector in the face of reported financial difficulties.

South Canterbury dairy farmers John and Cara Gregan say the Ballance Farm Environment Awards are a positive event for the dairy industry because they highlight good examples of sustainable agriculture.

Small Business Minister Craig Foss says five more locations are being added to the hugely popular Taking Care of Business roadshow.

HP New Zealand (HP NZ) is asking rural students to share their vision of how they think they will learn in the future to be in the running to win a share of $26,000 worth of HP products and support.

Dairy farmers who fail to keep written employment agreements or time records can expect to receive a sharp shock, as the Labour Inspectorate launches a nationwide probe into compliance in the industry.

Entering the Greater Wellington Ballance Farm Environment Awards was a valuable exercise for South Wairarapa viticulture business, Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough Ltd.