Latest from Ministry for Primary Industries

Wet and dry horrors plague and east and far north

Storms set scene for taste of the tropics

Unsettled conditions could mark a turning point for our summer weather, forecasters say.

Sea slug study can't find cash

Toxic sea slugs could be living in the waters around New Zealand but money to study them is proving harder to find than the slugs themselves.

Rain, but not enough, for Northland

Big fines for farmers who let their livestock starve

Govt may consider drought assistance

The Government is keeping close watch on the "big dry" in many regions and will consider drought assistance if conditions worsen, Agriculture Minister David Carter says.

<i>Fran O'Sullivan</i>: Keep the cows off the grass

Govt puts $45m into emissions plan

A New Zealand-led initiative on cutting greenhouse gases has won widespread support.

Major animal welfare issues on Crafar farms, says MAF

"Significant animal welfare issues" have been found among the 20,000 cows on the 22 farms owned by the Crafar family, a MAF inquiry says.

Crafar Farms put into receivership owing NZ$200m

NZ's largest family owned dairy business is put into receivership by its banks Westpac, Rabobank and PGG Wrightson Finance.

Crafar Farms put into receivership

New Zealand's largest family owned dairy business, Crafar Farms, has been put into receivership, Korda Mentha said in a statement.

Receivers come to grips with Crafar problems

Receivers were getting mud on their gumboots yesterday as they came to grips with problems of Crafar Farms.

<i>Bernard Hickey:</i> Crafar has lessons for us all

Fed Farmers dairy boss responds to mistreatment reports

Federated Farmers Dairy chair Lachlan McKenzie responds to recent controversy over the mistreatment of animals on a NZ dairy farm.

Animal welfare checks begin on all Crafar farms

Inspectors have begun urgent checks on the welfare of livestock at farms owned by the Crafar family, amid concerns that publicity over alleged cruelty could harm New Zealand's reputation.

Maps will outline public walkways