A trial involving five parties linked to the running of Crafar Farms who face hundreds of charges between them of animal abuse has been postponed.

The price of dairy products rose 2 per cent in the first GlobalDairyTrade auction of the year, recovering losses through the tail-end of last year.

World dairy prices have risen in the last online auction of the year.

The world's largest global milk processor and dairy exporter wants to move into New Zealand's best new building in four years.

Units in the new Fonterra Shareholders Fund have debuted at $6.66 per unit - a $1.16 premium to their $5.50 issue price.

Fonterra said it had set its final price for units in the Fonterra Shareholders' Fund at $5.50 per unit - the top end of an indicative $4.60 to $5.50 range.

Fonterra will put in the bulk of shares required for the Fonterra Shareholders' Fund following a muted response from its farmer members.

Prices of dairy products rose in the latest online dairy auction, the third straight gain.

News that New Zealand cows are being fed genetically modified soy and cottonseed meal has come as a shock to many consumers, writes Sue Kedgely.

Local scientists have devised an inventive way of identifying fake milk powder being sold on the international market as a New Zealand product.

"Substandard" NZ-made baby formula and milk powder is being rejected at China's border, raising concerns that media coverage could damage our reputation.

See a replay of our live chat with ANZ rural economist Con Williams on Fonterra's TAF scheme and the dairy industry.

Fonterra has signed an agreement to develop two more large-scale dairy farms in China.

Fonterra has today released details of its $500 million public offer, which will be by far the biggest issue to hit the NZX this year when it lists on November 30.