Given the sheep industry's well documented problems, labelling yourself specialist sheep farmers might not be considered the most inspiring of titles, but it is one the Alderton family wears with pride.
Backers of a new strong wool grower-owned co-operative are confident they will get the necessary farmer support, saying the alternative is untenable.
Critics of how Fonterra measures its gearing ratio claim it could be as high as 60%, rather than the 44.9% for the year end July 31 as published in the co-operative's annual accounts.
Tighter regulatory controls, a tough retail market and a strong dollar eroded the benefits from stronger revenue streams for Dunedin biotechnology company Blis Technologies.
The rural property market continues its lacklustre performance of recent months, with the number of properties sold in the three months to October 31 less than half that of two years ago, although the median price remains steady.
Rules requiring Fonterra to supply raw milk to competitors, was costing the country up to $450 million a year, a study commissioned by the co-operative has calculated.
A Dunedin inventor hopes his intelligent recycling can transform farm waste to prevent soil erosion and nutrient runoff.
Farmers supplying milk to New Zealand Dairies' South Canterbury factory will make a bid for the plant, which is being sold by its Russian owners.
The southern ewe flock could shrink by more than 60,000 in the coming year as at least 26 sheep farms convert to dairying.
The South Island services sector index slumped sharply last month, and has now recorded a sluggish or poor performance for six of the last seven months.
A third southern high country station is on the market, with Foveran Deer Park in the Hakataramea Valley, South Canterbury, offered for sale.
Fonterra is making a second foray into a developing market, announcing plans to establish a pilot dairy farm in India.
The legal argument of implied dedication being used by the Queenstown Lakes District Council to keep Meads Rd at Lake Hawea open could have far-reaching ramifications for rural New Zealand if successful.
Weaning hasn't even started and meat companies and stock agents are engaged in a savage procurement war which has pushed the price of store lambs to over $70 and old ewes to $80.
Allan and Karen Edwards admit to being cautiously optimistic about prospects for their store lamb sale in January, but the West Otago farmers are not getting carried away.
A new milk powder plant for Canterbury processor Synlait Ltd is on track for commissioning in September next year.
Alliance Group has weathered what chairman Owen Poole called a challenging year to September 30, to retain its solid financial position.
Shares in the country's two largest kiwifruit growers and processors appear to have emerged largely unscathed from a potentially devastating bio-security incursion in a Bay of Plenty orchard.
Any merger between Alliance Group and Silver Fern Farms appears to be as distant as ever given a low response to a questionnaire.
Debate over a new capital structure at Fonterra has strengthened the co-operative at a time when competitors have eroded its market share to less than 90% of New Zealand's milk production, says the dairy giant's watchdog.
