The milk price futures contracts will be launched on May 27, the NZX announced late last week.

Dairy farmers, facing volatile prices, must take advantage of advances in genetics, forages and labour-saving technologies, writes Mark Hiddleston

The NZX is launching new dairy futures and options contracts as a way to lessen the volatility in milk prices.

It's not only NZ dairy farmers unhappy about farm gate prices.

Dairy prices ended the 2015/6 season on a firm note with the GlobalDairyTrade price index rising by 2.6 per cent at this morning's auction.

Fonterra's farmer shareholders will vote next month on whether to accept governance changes to trim the board.

NZ's relationship with the Philippines is in great shape and growing as the two countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

A mild improvement in dairy prices is expected at this week's GlobalDairyTrade auction - the last for the 2015-16 season.

Nearly all dairy cattle on more than 11,000 farms are now fenced off from waterways, a new report shows -- but an environmental group fears the full picture isn't being shown.

"Pleasant surprise" at global dairy auction.

COMMENT: Sustainability leadership - we don't know what we've got 'til it's gone, writes Barry Coates.

COMMENT: McGrathNicol business partners Andrew Grenfell and Conor McElhinneyrs talk about the flow-on effects of low dairy prices.

Fonterra's increased dividend payment isn't enough for most farmers to pay their interest bill, says Jacqueline Rowarth.

The Ministry for Primary Industries says it will take action against baby formula marketer Fernbaby if the company continues to make "therapeutic claims" about its products.

Exporters paid a heavy price for the threat to contaminate infant formula with 1080.

Powerful victim impact statement read in court ahead of the sentencing of 1080 blackmailer Jeremy Kerr.

COMMENT: Fonterra has made the right call by accelerating dividend payments instead of extending its dairy farmer shareholders loan package, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Dairy farm values are tumbling, according to data from the Real Estate Institute of NZ.

Prices for weaned calves are hitting record highs amid increased demand and lower supply.

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.

Landcorp said it expects its profit loss to widen for the full year, reflecting a decline in milk prices.

Founded in 2000 by a Kiwi scientist and a multimillionaire farm owner, a2 Milk's market value has more than tripled to NZ$1.2 billion over the past year.

Avocado prices have spiked to over $3 each after a "moderate" growing season and surging demand.

After some tough times, apple growers have enjoyed three record years in a row and are well on the way to their $1b target.

Dairy farmers are bracing themselves for still more falls in product prices at tomorrow's Global Dairy Trade auction.

Banks say more heavily indebted New Zealand dairy farmers will be asked to sell up as non-performing loans increase.

Rain since the New Year has reduced the drought risk associated with the current El Nino weather pattern, ANZ Bank said.

Greenheart Group has signed a conditional deal to buy Northland Forest Managers (1995) for $1.5 million.