BEGA CHEESE has been given the green light by the competition watchdog to take over Warrnambool Cheese and Butter, but Canadian processor Saputo and Murray Goulburn are still waiting for approval.

Ihave been asked to be clairvoyant, and write about viticulture in 40 year’s time. This is to write about uncertainty, but I hope my ideas might include some intelligent guesswork. One thing is for sure, that no-one will wave this article in front of me in 40 years time, and tell me that I am right, or wrong!

There was a time when the wineries in Marlborough could be counted on one hand. Everyone knew each other, and get togethers were common. These days the industry has grown so much, that it’s hard to fit all the winemakers, owners and viticulturists into one room, let alone know all their names. So this month we introduce you to four of our young guns you may not have met before.

A reunion will be held on Saturday, June 8 at the Corinthian Conventions Centre at the Invercargill Workingmen's Club to mark the 35th anniversary of the Southland Farmers' Protest on the streets of Invercargill.

A recent study has found using the plant hormone gibberellic acid as an alternative to nitrogen fertiliser in late winter and early spring can significantly improve pasture growth at a time when dairy farmers start grazing stock more heavily after calving.

ONE OF the world’s biggest dairy companies has broken ground on a site for a factory in the South Island.

Farmer feedback points to a big turnout of farmers tomorrow for the Meat Industry Excellence (MIE) meeting in Christchurch, says Blair Gallagher, the local organising chairman.

Farmers from all over the North Island put their farming woes on the back burner during today's Drought Shout at Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka.

ASB has expanded its rural corporate business in the South Island with the appointment of two new rural corporate managers who both bring specialised regional knowledge to their roles.

Three-time Ballance Farm Environment Award winner Dan Steele is on a mission to make New Zealand a better place for the future.