CIVIL DEFENCE officials say a 'severe weather watch' issued for Northland for the weekend reflects a sensible, cautious approach by forecasters and is no cause for alarm at this stage.

AN ADDITIONAL 34 medical places for students next year at the country's two medical schools, 17 of which will be earmarked for rural students is extremely encouraging, says New Zealand Rural General Practice Network deputy chairperson Sharon Hansen.

THE FINALISTS have been announced for the third Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Sheep Industry Awards.

ANDY SOMERVILLE, who has extensive experience in business development, has been appointed chief executive officer for the Primary Industry Capability Alliance (PICA).

MASSEY UNIVERSITY Professor Richard Archer has been awarded the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology's most prestigious honour, the JC Andrews Award.

BEEF + LAMB New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics is officially in business.

FEDERATED FARMERS commends Environment Southland for listening to the concerns of hill and high country farmers, and delaying notification of the proposed Hill and High Country Development Plan Change.

ARABLE FARMERS are being encouraged to consider dairy effluent as an alternative source of plant nutrients, notably nitrogen.

INDEPENDENT PROCESSOR Tatua remains hopeful of global dairy prices bouncing back.

WINNING THE 2014 Ballance Farm Environment Awards gives Canterbury dairy farmers Mark and Devon Slee the opportunity to tell some 'good news' stories about their industry and New Zealand agriculture in general.