New Zealand wine industry luminary Sir George Fistonich has been named the recipient of the 2013 Rabobank Leadership Award for his outstanding contribution to agribusiness.

THE NORTH ISLAND sale of 6,600 bales continues the upward trend in the wool market, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.

FONTERRA TODAY announced its plans to invest $72 million at its Clandeboye mozzarella plant as it further expands its global foodservice capabilities.

RURAL INSURER FMG is now accepting applications for their agriculture scholarships.

CHINA'S DEMAND for dairy imports is set to grow for at least the next two years, as its local milk production struggles under structural change in the supply chain, a new industry report has found.

THE FIRST OF THIS season's New Zealand avocados have started hitting the supermarket shelves in Japan in a buoyant start to export sales there, and opening prices in Australia are at their best.

FEDERATED FARMERS and Horticulture New Zealand are talking up the outcome of the High Court decision on Horizons Regional Council, despite having lost – technically at least.

AFTER TWO years of little news, the proposed Hunter Downs Irrigation scheme in South Canterbury is back in the headlines with Government funding and farmer meetings.

THE TENDER Tips packhouse is a hive of activity in the season’s full swing. Asparagus comes through for washing, grading and packing, then off to supermarkets and, of course, Japan.

MASSEY UNIVERSITY has completely revamped its No 1 dairy research farm to try to find new ways to farm more sustainably and profitably and produce high quality milk.