Latest from Farming

Fonterra to cut costs as forecast falls

Fonterra plans to cut costs and defer some capital expenditure so that an improved dividend can at least partially offset a likely $6b decline in income for the sector.

Fonterra cut to hit farmers

The industry group DairyNZ estimates that one quarter of dairy farmers will have difficulty paying their bills if Fonterra's reduced farmgate milk price comes to pass.

Fonterra slashes milk payout to $4.70

Fonterra has this morning cut its forecast farmgate milk price payout to its farmers, with its chairman admitted it'll put pressure on farm budgets.

Bernard Hickey: Housing up, fishing down

The contrast in fortunes this week between two parts of New Zealand could not have been starker.

Farmers watching out for dry weather

Parts of the country are rapidly drying out but weather experts are not mentioning the "D" word just yet

ANZ admits misleading conduct, settles for $18.5m

ANZ has admitted misleading conduct over interest rate swaps and up to 178 farmers will now have to decide whether to accept their share of $18.5 million from the bank.

Farmers face water restrictions as El Nino develops

NZ farmers are facing summer water restrictions in some regions as an El Nino weather pattern develops.

Wholemilk powder prices continue drop

Wholemilk powder prices continued to decline while other products showed signs of improvement at this morning’s GlobalDairyTrade auction.

NZ tractor sales hit decade high

Farmers have been increasing their spending on equipment as cash flows were boosted by Fonterra's record payout.

Protesters rally against caged hen farm

Dressed as chickens and posing in giant cages, more than 20 protestors gathered outside the resource consent hearing of a proposed caged chicken farm in South Auckland this morning.

Key defends dairy's climate change record

Prime Minister dismisses claims that the dairy industry is not playing its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Fonterra dividend too low, unitholder says

The Fonterra Shareholders' Fund should be able to raise its 2015 dividend forecast given it expects to pay farmers less for their milk.

Fonterra affirms $5.30 milk payout

Open Country says expect reduced dairy payout

Private dairy ingredient manufacturer Open Country Dairy has told its suppliers to expect a reduced payout in a range of $4.70 to $4.90 per kg of milksolids for 2014/5.

Kaipara Harbour rescue

It's a marine ecological gem on the doorstep of our biggest city and it's not the Hauraki Gulf.

Dairy auction gives hope to farmers

International dairy prices showed signs of stabilising at this morning’s GlobalDairyTrade auction.

Farmer sells in disgust at $50k rates

'Horrific" rates of nearly $50k a year on land still being grazed by livestock prompted the $37.9m sale of one of Auckland's largest land lots.

$150m cost to Fonterra

The head of Fonterra says the growing Ebola epidemic could cost the company $150 million.