Farmer owners of the country's biggest company, Fonterra, have been asked to come up with the cash they forbid directors to go to the sharemarket for.

Fonterra's chairman 'totally disagrees' with any suggestion new 'dry shares' will soften up farmers for the idea of listing on the stock exchange.

Fonterra, New Zealand's biggest exporter, has unveiled its latest restructuring plan, which it promises will allow farmers to keep control of the co-operative.

Greenpeace is trying to keep up pressure on Fonterra to limit its use of palm kernel feed with a public rally outside the Ports of Tauranga.

Farmers have described Greenpeace's occupation of an inbound cargo vessel as 'economic treason.'

Food prices are continuing to rise but have steadied after reaching record highs last year. Milk and cheese have become cheaper.

NZ's largest privately owned dairy operation is considering selling out to a Chinese company for over $200m.

Fonterra has ruled out a public listing of its shares as part of its proposed capital restructure.

Robust bidding in Fonterra's monthly online auction of whole milkpowder early today lifted the average price paid by 24.2 per cent to US$2858/tonne.

Dairy giant Fonterra is poised to unveil its second proposal for capital structure reform within days.