Former president of Wanganui Federated Farmers says dairy farming is responsible for 80 per cent of the degradation of New Zealand waterways.

Hopes are running high that the first GlobalDairyTrade (GDT) auction for 2016/17 will show an improvement in dairy prices.

Farmers overall remain satisfied with their banks, according to a Federated Farmers survey.

The milk price of $4.25 per kg remains well below DairyNZ's $5.25 per kg estimate of breakeven.

Zespri reported a bumper year for 2015/6, with the biggest-ever total return to growers.

COMMENT: The Government should be proactive and appoint an independent Commissioner for Animal Welfare, writes Catriona MacLennan. Not only to prosecute animal cruelty, but also comprehensive monitoring of animal welfare.

Australian dairy farmers want the government's help in gaining security around milk prices.

The milk price futures contracts will be launched on May 27, the NZX announced late last week.

The NZX is launching new dairy futures and options contracts as a way to lessen the volatility in milk prices.

Dairy prices ended the 2015/6 season on a firm note with the GlobalDairyTrade price index rising by 2.6 per cent at this morning's auction.

Fonterra's farmer shareholders will vote next month on whether to accept governance changes to trim the board.

NZ's relationship with the Philippines is in great shape and growing as the two countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

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.

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

Expensive farm equipment is sitting idle on farms around the country. MachineryLink Sharing wants to change that.

Gary Helou, managing director of Australia's biggest dairy company has resigned after the company lodged its second major earnings downgrade of this year.

Mystery has enveloped the ginseng industry-the biggest customer for a small Canadian county has disappeared.

Workers weren't allowed time off, including a pregnant woman who was told she'd be laid off if she took maternity leave.

The trend towards organic produce means the US is now importing animal feed from Romania.

A farmhand did not face animal cruelty charges because a council wrongly said drowning possums was a humane way to kill them.

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.

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

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.

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