Signals that New Zealand could secure a better deal on its Free Trade Agreement with China is a "beacon of hope" for our dairy industry, said the head of an export association.

The New Zealand dollar surged to a fresh 10-month high above US70c yesterday as dairy prices rose further than expected.

Agricultural products and services company PGG Wrightson has warned investors that its seed cleaning site in Uruguay has fallen victim to that country's widespread flooding.

The median price per hectare is down to $33,897 in the three months to March, according to REINZ figures.

Australia's farmers and food producers face a protectionist backlash at home against Chinese investment.

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

A rejigging of Cavalier Bremworth's operations will see up to 68 jobs lost from Whanganui and 36 from Christchurch.

Cavalier Corporation has started consultation with its manufacturing staff in Christchurch and Whanganui in relation to a proposed consolidation of its carpet operations.

International markets are "screaming out" for New Zealand apples.

Prime Minister John Key will visit China this month to discuss the free trade agreement between the two countries.

New Zealand's biggest export - dairy - continues to suffer from oversupply and soft demand but other parts of the primary sector are booming.

COMMENT: Sustainable farming is about doing business while doing good. It is about ensuring decent income and benefits while preserving our environment.

What does an ex-All Black captain do when he's done and dusted with the game?

The Institute of Directors has made a case for adding independent directors to the boards of farming company operations.

Farmers will have the opportunity to hedge their bets on the farmgate milk price when the NZX launches a milk price futures contract next month.

NZX, the financial markets operator, is developing a new market offering New Zealand dairy farmers a way to lessen the risk of volatile milk prices.

"Pleasant surprise" at global dairy auction.

Commodity prices fell 1.3 per cent in March as weaker dairy, forestry and seafood prices outweighed meat prices.

Strengthening NZ dollar, increased output from Europe and reduced imports from China add to poor outlook.

COMMENT: The dollar is not coming to the rescue of struggling dairy farmers. It's coming to the rescue of retailers, motorists, gourmet food importers.

Fitch Ratings said growth in European milk production will further delay a recovery in global milk prices beyond 2016.

Shanghai Pengxin has withdrawn its judicial review of the government's decision to decline its application to purchase the Lochinver station.

Synlait expects premium payments to its farmer suppliers to double, mainly on the back of a boom in infant formula sales.

COMMENT: Does economics still believe in free trade?

COMMENT: McGrathNicol business partners Andrew Grenfell and Conor McElhinneyrs talk about the flow-on effects of low dairy prices.

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.

New Zealand's merchant trade surplus reached $339 million in February.

Exporters paid a heavy price for the threat to contaminate infant formula with 1080.