Farmers, industries and other large users may be charged for water under a new policy being developed, Finance Minister Bill English has indicated.

"Million-dollar rain" was how Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers president Bruce Wills described yesterday's downpours which swept the region.

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

Southland police are on the hunt for whoever was responsible for an attack on sheep and lambs that can only be described as sadistic.

It's a fundraising scheme like no udder - a Waikato Lions club is asking for money from cull cows to raise funds for a Hamilton cancer facility.

A West Coast farmer has been sentenced to community service after 60 cattle were found dead and dying.

What are the benefits, if any? And is it inevitable? Two views from opposite sides of the argument from Agram chief executive Graeme Peters and university researcher Professor Jack Heinemann.

Fines for illegal effluent discharge.