COMMENT: The crisis in the dairy industry is of course a savage blow to many individual dairy farmers.

Fonterra may dust off last year's support package or boost the percentage of earnings paid as dividends to help farmers hit by the dairy downturn.

Fonterra will unveil a strong half-year financial result on Wednesday, but this will not mute the criticism that has emerged.

Cash-strapped dairy farmers can at least look forward to a strong first-half performance from Fonterra when it reports its result this week.

Fonterra will offer quicker payments to suppliers - if it gets a discount in return.

Fonterra has been copping heavy criticism over its strategy as the financial pressure facing farmer shareholders deepens.

However, even the Reserve Bank's best case scenario sees farm prices fall by 20pc, while the worst case scenario would see a fall in land prices of 40pc.

Fonterra has confirmed the closure of its cheese plant in Kaikoura next month.

World dairy prices went against market expectations and fell 2.9 per cent decline at the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction.

Federated Farmers and Dairy NZ have been holding around the country aimed at helping farmers, particularly sharemilkers, through the downturn.

Bill English has ruled out a bailout for struggling dairy farmers after Andrew Little said the Govt should consider emergency relief similar to droughts.

Fonterra has scored an own goal in extending payment terms for suppliers because some frustrated companies are secretly hiking their prices.

Bank analyst has confidence in the sector's ability to adapt but says that some of those ill-prepared for the downturn will go to the wall.

Fonterra said a member of its management team, Maury Leyland, has resigned for personal reasons, effective from March 31.

WATCH: On the latest extra episode of The Economy Hub, guest panelists Brian Gaynor and Fran O'Sullivan discuss Fonterra.

The long-term outlook for the dairy sector is strong, but the immediate future is highly concerning, says Mark Lister.

Fonterra says it remains financially sound, despite high debt levels.

The kiwi dollar has dropped this morning after Fonterra cut its farmer payout for the second time this year.

Global diary giant Fonterra is moving into what could be the smartest new building in Auckland, but as farmers slash costs the move has been criticised as unjustifiable.

Embattled dairy farmers were offered a glimmer of hope when world prices firmed for the first time this year.

Rise of 1.4 per cent ends a four-sale losing streak.

Modest 1.4 per cent gain an end to four-sale losing streak.

New Zealand's largest dairy cooperative is planning to close its cheese plant in the South Island town of Kaikoura.

A big Commerce Commission report has found there's not enough competition to justify any deregulation of New Zealand's dairy sector.

A recovery in the dairy sector could be two or three years away while low oil prices continue to weigh on the market, says a US industry leader.

Fonterra's total borrowings now more than $7.5 billion, writes Brian Gaynor.

As farmers face the prospect of even lower prices, they are being asked whether the dairy giant's governance needs revision, writes Jamie Gray.