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.

Australia's farmers and food producers face a protectionist backlash at home against Chinese investment.

Fonterra's first draft of its recommendations on the size and makeup of its board will be made public tomorrow.

"Pleasant surprise" at global dairy auction.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alliance Group plans to entrench its cooperative status, encouraging farmers to 'share up' at a time rival Silver Fern Farms is watering down cooperative.

Wholemilk is down 4.4 per cent at first GDT auction of the year despite volume reductions, and outlook is weak.

Dairy farmers are the most optimistic group in New Zealand's agricultural sector for the coming year, according to a Federated Farmers poll.

Z Energy says committing to using biofuel is one way people can contribute to the global effort to reduce climate change outlined in the Paris Agreement.