New Zealand's dairy sector debt nearly tripled over the past decade to $30.5 billion last year and some farmers will have difficulty servicing their loans in the year ahead.

NZ's reputation for high quality infant formula is being risked by inexperienced companies looking to cash in on Chinese demand, says a high-powered industry group.

Economists still expect a "bumper" season for New Zealand dairy , despite the first online auction for 2013/14 starting on a soft note.

It remains an area crying out for regulatory oversight in case missteps by smaller players screw the market for our champions, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

China's Government says it will step up monitoring of foreign infant formula products and "nurture" Chinese-made baby milk brands.

Fonterra's Chilean subsidiary is an example of what the co-operative would like to achieve in the rest of the world, says former general manager Jose Miguel Porraz.

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.

Fonterra says its opening forecast farmgate milk price had been set at $7.00 per kg of milk solids for the 2013/14 season - up $1.20.

Fonterra would have been startled to wake up yesterday to the Herald's front-page photo of Sir Henry van der Heyden emblazoned with "Don't ever trust them", writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Former Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden has apologised to China, its people and Government for telling an audience never to trust the Chinese.

In a long tradition of dud products, marketers of what was hailed as a world first for keeping milk fresh must face the fact that nobody likes it

Farmer David Hunt has spoken out about his battle with mental illness in a bid to raise awareness of the warning signs for depression in rural communities.

Units in the Fonterra Shareholders Fund hit a record high this week despite ongoing increases in dairy product prices - prompting some in the industry to ask if investors fully understand the factors at work.

Prices have fallen more than 7 per cent in the latest global dairy auction held overnight. It comes after a slight dip in prices two weeks ago.

Shares in the Fonterra Shareholders Fund rallied to their highest ever point today after the co-operative announced that it plans to cut 300 jobs.

Light-proof bottles claimed as a world first by Fonterra have been used by dairy companies overseas for more than a decade. But Fonterra has defended the claim.