SHEEP AND BEEF farmers should ride the wave of the upward cycle in commodity trade by ensuring they reinvest and build more buffer into their businesses, says Beef + Lamb NZ chairman James Parsons.

FOUNDATION FOR Arable Research chief executive Nick Pyke says over 600 people attended the organisation’s flagship biennial event Crops 2014 – more than any previous FAR industry event.

RURAL WOMEN will invest the $18 million proceeds from the sale of Access HomeHealth Ltd, says president Wendy McGowan.

THE COMMERCE Commission is negotiating with Westpac and ASB after having reached a $19 million settlement with ANZ over the marketing of interest rate swaps.

THE IMPACT of the massive drought two years ago is still affecting sheep numbers, with only a modest increase this season.

SILVER FERN Farms’ board candidate Fiona Hancox says if farmers can’t fund the cooperative’s call for capital, then it at least needs to ensure a “New Zealand Inc approach rather than foreign ownership”.

A YOUNG farming couple have taken over the reins of a noteworthy Hawke’s Bay farm gifted to the nation almost 40 years ago.

FONTERRA IS ruling out clawing back money from its farmer suppliers despite some being paid more than the latest revised forecast payout.

THE DAIRY industry is making good progress on protecting waterways on farm, according to a review.

TOTAL AGRICULTURAL export earnings for 2014-15 will be down 9.5%, warns the Ministry of Primary Industries.