Only 7 dairy farms were sold last month, says the Real Estate Institute, with total farm sales slumping more than a third to just 46.

Sheep numbers have continued to fall, dairy cow numbers are rising and grain crops increased markedly, latest agricultural production figures show.

A free trade deal with the highly protected Indian economy could mean big things for New Zealand agriculture exporters.

NZ researchers may have discovered a breathrough for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Most industry groups welcomed the Government's announcement today that it will make a livestock tracing scheme compulsory - and pay for it.

Fonterra has raised about $270 million from its farmer shareholders.

Fonterra says around one third of its farmer shareholders have spent $270.7 million buying up new shares in the co-operative.

Carter Holt Harvey is putting 29 dairy farms on the market, asking $224.5 million in the biggest single offering of farm land seen in NZ.

The Govt has discussed intervening on large-scale proposals to farm cows in cubicles, as pressure grows from critics labelling it "factory farming".

The Government is keeping close watch on the "big dry" in many regions and will consider drought assistance if conditions worsen, Agriculture Minister David Carter says.