The price for New Zealand's key dairy export, whole milk powder, may drop about 5 per cent at this week's GlobalDairyTrade auction amid lacklustre demand.

China's decision to allow all married couples to have two children will be supportive for the New Zealand dairy industry, but only "at the margin", ANZ Bank said in a commentary.

Fonterra said its milk production hit a seasonal high of 86.9 million litres on October 22 - down 3 per cent from last season's peak.

September saw a 7.2 per cent decrease in milk production.

Fonterra's long-term credit rating has been cut by Fitch Ratings.

World dairy prices were down 3.1 per cent in the latest overnight auction.

Fonterra's milk production is close to hitting its seasonal peak.

Fonterra faces higher borrowing costs now its credit rating has been downgraded from "A" to "A minus".

Fonterra chairman John Wilson has hit back at attempts by former directors to trim the size of the board.

Dairy prices were up for the fourth time in a row in the latest world dairy auction. Why?

This week's GlobalDairyTrade auction is shaping up to be another strong one.

Fonterra's chief executive has asked for a freeze on his $4m salary.

Spokesman says fans of controversial scheme can turn to NZX for help with milk prices.

Fonterra lost market share in the South Island and will probably lose more this season before an improvement in 2016/17, says CEO Theo Spierings.

Theo Spierings has every right to be among our best-paid chief executives.

Jose Miguel Porraz is negotiating an uneven Kuala Lumpur footpath as he talks up the benefits of emerging markets.

Theo Spierings gets a pay rise of up to 18 per cent as Fonterra prepares to lay off 750 staff.

Fonterra is on track to significantly improve its profits over the next decade, says KPMG.

Fonterra looks set for a big rebound in its annual net profit when it reports its result tomorrow, but the dairy co-operative will face challenges as the sector worldwide tries to adapt to low demand....

Low dairy prices have continued to weigh heavily on farmer sentiment, according to Rabobank's Rural Confidence Survey.

Chief executive Theo Spierings says dairy giant has to make tough decisions as review increases job cuts to 750.

Does this morning's big jump in world dairy prices mean an increased payout for farmers? There might be a long way to go.

Prices are expected to rise at this week's GlobalDairyTrade auction but doubts remain as to how much further improvement is in store.

Wholemilk powder prices, which are key to determining Fonterra's farm gate milk price, rose by 12.1 per cent to an average US$2078 a tonne at the last auction on September 2.

Fonterra is cutting back the amount of product it sells on its GlobalDairyTrade auction platform for the next 12 months.

Fonterra has confirmed it has put on hold a proposed coal mine at Mangatangi while it assesses its energy options.

Nominations have opened for seats on Fonterra's board, with chairman John Wilson and two other directors up for re-election.

Low world dairy prices aren't stopping the NZ industry - production was up 13pc last month from July last year.

Whole milk powder prices, which are the key to determining Fonterra's farmgate milk price, rose by 12.1 per cent to an average US$2078 a tonne.