Dairy
Shareholders vote to sell Westland Milk
Dairy farmers have overwhelmingly voted to sell their 150-year-old dairy co-operative, Westland Milk Products, to a Chinese company. But despite signing off on the deal, many of the 350 shareholders… Video, Audio
New rules allow Fonterra to refuse milk from new suppliers
The government has backed off radical changes to the rules that forced Fonterra to take milk from any new dairy farms. In the first review of the rules in 18 years, Fonterra will be able to refuse the… Audio
Midday Rural News for 5 December 2018
The industry group, Dairy NZ, is disappointed dairy farmers have to pay almost private sector costs of fighting Mycoplasma bovis. Audio
Dairy prices rise for the first time since May
The first rise in dairy prices in six months brings them off two-year lows.
NZ dairy group joins fight to try and save WTO
Dairy companies around the world have joined forces in an attempt to protect the World Trade Organisation.
More effort needed to reduce environmental impact of dairying, Fonterra says
The dairy giant identifies climate change, water and waste as areas for improvement in its annual sustainability report.
No more cows should be allowed on Canterbury plains - Fish and Game
Intensive dairy farming and nitrate-laden fertiliser are contaminating the Canterbury water supply, Fish & Game New Zealand says. Audio
Increasing pressure on dairy industry - analyst
Current dairy prices for farmers are unlikely to last, according to analysts.
Fonterra’s ‘sorry’ not enough for all shareholders
Fonterra managers met with 400 shareholders in Waikato today to apologise for their nine-figure loss. As Eric Frykberg reports, while many farmers backed the co-operative, others were fuming. Audio
US-China trade war keeps hitting NZ exports
Dairy prices are at their lowest level in two years as the value of New Zealand exports fell again in October.
Is becoming 'flexitarian' the best thing we can do for the planet?
Researchers have found a global shift to a more plant-based diet is essential to keep climate change in check and feed a growing planet. This flexitarian diet means the average world citizen needs to… Audio
Fonterra forecasts payout will drop by up to 50 cents a kg
Dairy farmers are preparing to tighten their belts after Fonterra announced another drop in its forecast milk payout for this season. The co-operative is now forecasting a payout between $6.25 and… Video, Audio
Fonterra posts $196m loss; analysts warn of worrying trend
Fonterra's interim CEO Miles Hurrell admits the company's $196m loss came as a surprise, while ASB warns a worrying pattern of over promising and under delivering is emerging. Video, Audio
Dairy prices fall to eight-month low
Dairy prices have fallen to the lowest level in eight months, in the latest global auction overnight.
Fonterra shareholders say twin hit to earnings 'unacceptable'
Dairy giant Fonterra has been given a serious serve from its shareholders who say the double hit to their earnings this year is unacceptable. Video, Audio
The vegetable soup your gut will thank you for
The food we eat affects our gut health – which in turn affects our digestion, says scientist Amber Milan. Do your guts a favour with her (prebiotic and probiotic) kumara and leek soup. Audio
From grass to glass: Milk bottles making a comeback
Glass milk bottles were replaced by cartons in 1989, and milk deliveries stopped in the mid 90s. Nowadays milk is mostly sold in plastic bottles but some farmers have gone back to the future including… Audio
US-China trade dispute: 'Everyone ends up losing'
A short-term boost to the New Zealand dairy sector is possible as the US-China trade war escalates, but the industry is predicting long term pain, a dairy leader says.
Nelson farmers prepare for Mycoplasma Bovis
Dairy and beef farmers in the top of the South Island met in Nelson today to discuss the disease. They have a message for authorities that it's a matter of when, not if, Mycoplasma bovis reaches their… Video, Audio
The Future of Food - we can't keep doing what we're doing now
In the first of a three-part series about the future of food four experts on food systems, politics and environmental factors consider what may happen to our food supply: Senior lecturer at Massey… Audio
