The small township of Hawarden in North Canterbury had a significant boost to its population on Friday 13 February when 400 people crowded the local hall for the Lincoln University Foundation’s South Island Farmer of the Year winner’s field day.

Fonterra has commissioned its first wholly owned and operated ingredients plant in Europe.

The two new trustees appointed to the New Zealand Farm Environment (NZFE) Trust bring plenty of experience and enthusiasm to the table.

Central Otago’s Chard Farm Winery is celebrating 25 years on the farm later this month with a VIP wine tasting, birthday party and a family-friendly locals’ Open Day.

LIC has recorded a solid performance in the first half of the financial year. In the six months to 30 November 2014, the co-op achieved revenue of $159 million, 17.7% higher than the same period last year.

The Global Dairy Trade price jump of 9.4% last week was at the top end or bigger than predictions by economists and part of a continued upward swing.

Three more dairy companies – Miraka, Open Country and Westland – are reporting milk flows dipping as dry weather starts to affect grass growth and production, despite reasonable rain in many places in the past week.

The economy is performing well but faces challenges arising from the Chinese economy, says Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler.

Ireland aims to build a share farming dairy career pathway similar to New Zealand’s when 30 years of milk quotas ends in April.

In just under two months’ time, the world’s largest milk producer will see one of its biggest regulatory changes in three decades.