TWO MACHINE shearers, a woolhandler and a blades shearer have been accorded Master status by Shearing Sports New Zealand.

NOMINATIONS HAVE opened for the 2014 Fonterra Elections.

DAIRYNZ HAS appointed David McCall (above) to a new role of general manager of research and development as part of a plan to more closely integrate its research work with the products, tools, resources and services developed for farmers.

FONTERRA HAS signed a five-year strategic agreement with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to drive innovation in sustainable farming, manufacturing, health, nutrition and consumer dairy products.

FEDERATED FARMERS is shocked, but unsurprised, rustlers have targeted sheep on Auckland's Cornwall Park.

DRY CONDITIONS in the northern North Island and continued land use change in the South Island saw New Zealand's sheep numbers decrease 3.2% over the 2013-14 season, while beef cattle numbers increased 1.6%.

ENTERING THE Enterprising Rural Women Awards 2014 can help women looking for new ways to promote their small rural business.

WAIKATO REGIONAL Council's biosecurity group manager John Simmons has won annual PC Nelson Memorial Award from the Biosecurity Institute, a professional body for those working in the biosecurity sector.

THE FAO Food Price Index decreased for a fourth consecutive month in July mainly due to a sharp decline in international prices for maize, wheat and certain oilseeds, reflecting ample supplies for these commodities.

WATER QUALITY is a hot issue at present but the answer lies in the soil, says the Association of Biological Farmers.