Latest from Farming

Avatar director points green-tinted lens at agriculture emissions

There are few films more environmentally infused than the highest grossing one in history, Avatar - in which a highly militarised mining company seeks to exploit the resources of the rich forest....

Prices to put spring in farmers' step

NZ sheep and beef farmers got higher prices in the September quarter, outpacing the rise in the prices they paid.

Third fall in a row for world dairy prices

The August-September price bubble has popped, according to a dairy broker.

NZ's dairy cow population hits 5m

In 2014/15, dairy companies processed 21.3 billion litres of milk containing 1.89 billion kilograms of milksolids.

Fonterra lifts earnings forecast

There's some good news from the dairy sector today, with Fonterra saying its financial performance is improving.

Fonterra's catching up, says top Asia man

Consumer and food service came in at $408 million, up 216 per cent on the previous year's.

Five big rural lenders to conduct 'stress test'

Reserve Bank has asked the country's five biggest rural lenders to conduct a "stress test" of their exposure to dairy farm debt, and had encouraged them to set aside provisions .

Lab-grown burgers tipped to replace farm-grown

The pioneer of the world's first lab-grown burger expects cultured meat to eventually replace traditionally-farmed beef.

Silver Fern board won't be moved

Silver Fern Farms chairman Rob Hewett said the board remained convinced that a joint venture proposal from Shanghai Maling Aquarius was the best choice.

Chinese firm cans $42m deal

Local councillor says Chinese company's decision to pull out of a $42m farm purchase because of bureaucratic hurdles is a "slap in the face".

Landcorp backs alternative Silver Fern plan

State owned farmer Landcorp says it supports an alternative recapitalisation plan for the giant meat company.

SFF vote casts new light

As farmers prepare to cast their vote on Silver Fern Farms' proposed joint venture with China's Shanghai Maling Aquarius on Friday, the prospect has helped explode the myth that co-operatives are in....

Farmer jailed for ill-treatment of cows

Michael James Whitelock, 28, shot one cow in the leg, dumped another cow still alive in an offal pit, and broke the tails of hundreds of others.

Alternate plan pushed for SFF

A group of Silver Fern Farms shareholders who oppose the company's proposed joint venture with Shanghai Maling Aquarius say their offer of a $90 million alternative capital raising proposal remains a live issue just days before the deal goes to the vote.

Ngai Tahu's net profit drops 25%

South Island-based Ngai Tahu made $109.3 million net annual profit, down $36.1 million on last year because of lower earthquake damage insurance payouts.

Moo-ves afoot for bovine rd

Proposed road name for the new road is Cash Cow Rd to be associated with the current owner Cash Cow Limited.