Fonterra says part of forecast final dividend will be moved up to ease low-price pain.

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

Housing debt got all the attention yesterday, but dairy debt remains near the top list of Reserve Bank of the threats to the economy.

Fonterra has enlisted the help of Richie McCaw to help show the co-operative is not a "faceless corporate".

A group of Australian dairy farmers plans a series of rallies after Fonterra and other processors slashed farmgate milk prices.

Fonterra cut its farmgate milk price in Australia yesterday to fall more in line with the key price setter there, Murray Goulburn.

Fonterra said the price change better reflects the reality of the supply and demand imbalance affecting global dairy prices.

COMMENT: We need dreamers. But Gary Helou dreamed a little too hard for a little too long.

Fonterra Cooperative Group says milk collection is down in both New Zealand and Australia in the first 10 months of the season.

Dairy prices continued to firm at the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction, with the GDT price index gaining 3.8 per cent driven mostly by a big gain in whole milk powder prices.

Fonterra has continued to lose farmers to its competitors, based on latest production data.

Fonterra's first draft of suggested changes to its governance structure recommends the board's size be cut from 13 to 11.

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

NZX's planned new milk price futures contract can help bring stability to a dairy sector being hit by low returns, says visiting specialist Brian Rice.

"Pleasant surprise" at global dairy auction.

Fonterra could let farmer shareholders sell shares based on annual milk production to reduce debt, analysts say.

'We are grinning and bearing it." That's how Taranaki sharemilker Charlie McCaig describes how he and his wife Jody are faring with a milk price.

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.

Plans to open up in heartland of fast food hit by regulation

COMMENT: It is the nature of the Fonterra's unique corporate structure that bad times for commodities mean good times for the brands business.

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.

Theo Spierings said a "temporary imbalance" exists between Fonterra's strong results and farmers' tough times.

COMMENT: Criticism from farmers about the cost of supply rules ignores built-in protection, writes Peter Fraser.

Finally some good news for dairy farmers - Fonterra will be doubling its dividend payout after profits jumped 123 per cent.

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