JAPANESE FARMERS, sceptical about a free trade deal, are banking on the Government to exclude the sector from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).

THE WINNER OF the Young Horticulturist of the Year will be announced on Thursday night at the Grand Final on Thursday (November 14) at Auckland's Rendezvous hotel.

Meat co-op Alliance Group has reported a net profit before restructuring costs and tax of $10.9 million for the year ending 30 September 2013. The co-op's turnover for the year topped $1.4 billion

FONTERRA HAS bought the assets of Tasmanian yoghurt business, Tamar Valley Dairy, further strengthening its position in the Australian dairy industry.

BALLANCE AWARDS organiser, the New Zealand Farm Environment (NZFE) Trust, is gearing up for another big year as it strives to help farmers face the challenges of the future.

BLOODTHIRSTY ADULT TICKS are on a quest right now and farmers in the North Island in tick-prevalent areas should be checking cattle and talking to their veterinarian, say DairyNZ.

FIVE NEW NAMES have been added to the historic list of Nuffield Scholars in New Zealand.

CROSS-BRED WOOLD GROWERS have had only two years of profitable returns over the past decade, based on at an estimated average production cost of $4.50/kilo of greasy wool.

PROMINENT MAORI businessman Kingi Smiler, responsible for some breakthrough developments in Maori agri-business, has been named Agribusiness Person of the Year by Federated Farmers.

FONTERRA HAS BOUGHT a 6% stake in Australian dairy company Bega Cheese Ltd for AUS$46 million (NZ$52m).