Allied Farmers, in talks with the Inland Revenue Department to settle a $4.2 million tax bill and avoid liquidation, posted a narrower annual loss.

We're a funny old country. When the dairy farming industry damn near ruins the nation's international image and our ability to sell anything overseas, who do we punish? The tourism sector, of course!

British news website Daily Mail Online says New Zealand's claims to be clean and green are "pure manure".

Fonterra's chief apologised to consumers and the New Zealand public at a press conference today, saying all contaminated stock had been contained.

"I could feel every bloody bump on the road," said the farmer who broke his neck in a 4m fall - then mounted his quadbike and rode home.

"One dirty pipe. It might have done less damage if it had exploded," writes Liam Dann.

While the primary sector has its challenges, science and agriculture must be given a chance to solve them

The sharp drop in the value of the New Zealand dollar and a swift end to last summer's drought has significantly improved the outlook for farmers, says Rabobank.

"I see tourists regularly and they ask is there somewhere to eat and sleep?" Ken Turner's planned eco tourism venture would've been impossible earlier.

Matamata sharemilker Fergus King showed off brute strength when he cleaned up in the wood-chopping heat of the Fieldays rural bachelor of the year competition.

An aerial robot armed with live-feed cameras that can monitor farms while the owner is at home enjoying a cup of tea is being tipped as a gadget that could get city-slickers back to the country.

The youngest competitor at this year's Fieldays innovation centre is hoping investors will get on board with his invention that stops birds contaminating water supplies in tanks.

Australian farmer Sam Trethewey says there is just one factor that separates him from a bunch of strapping New Zealand hopefuls all vying to win the Fieldays Rural Bachelor of the Year award.

Kiwi farmers' expertise could help solve the problem of how to feed the world's rapidly growing population in the years ahead, says the boss of agriculture show Fieldays.

Environmental columnist Sam Judd checks out a new way for farmers to make money that will actually benefit the environment.

The allure of a high share price is proving too much for a growing number of Fonterra's farmers, with more choosing to sell up and move to competing cooperatives and dairy companies, says Fonterra's director of milk supply, Steve Murphy.

The rain is here and the grass is growing but some farmers will still be battling the effects of the worst drought in 30 years over the winter months.