Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Up to six positions at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Ministry of Fisheries Dunedin offices could be lost as a result of their merger last month.

Southern irrigation scheme interests have applauded the Government's expanded irrigation fund, saying it is a step in the right direction.

Feedback is being sought on draft regulations to implement the controversial National Animal Identification and Tracing Act.

Ten million New Zealand Units have been issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry under the emissions trading scheme (ETS) since the first returns were processed in early 2009.

Widely-respected deer-health researcher, the University of Otago's Prof Frank Griffin, has been awarded the Royal Society of New Zealand's Pickering Medal, the country's top award for achievement in technology.

September's killer week of storms could cost the country's sheep and cattle farmers more than $100 million and wipe out up to 400 full-time seasonal jobs for southern meat workers.

The release of an exotic pet turtle into Dunedin's Botanic Garden has been labelled cruel and potentially damaging to wildlife.

Last minute changes to deforestation rules under the emissions trading scheme have made wilding tree management possible, say Environment Southland.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials have taken action over the poor condition of sheep on a large West Otago property leased to a North Island farmer.

Financially, last year should have been a bumper one for sheep farmers, but the fact it wasn't illustrates why farmers have little confidence in the industry's future.