Primary-sector export revenue increased 1.3% in the year ended June to $32,119 million, driven by favourable weather conditionsClimate conditions for pasture growth for the year ended June were the best since 2002, with 51.4 days of soil moisture deficit compared with the 30-year average of 61.6. That resulted in record milk solids per cow and carcass weights for lamb and beef. Conditions were also favourable for forest harvesting in the June quarter.
Former PricewaterhouseCoopers chairman John Shewan has been appointed chairman of the new Fonterra Shareholders Fund management company.
It has been a big year for Oritain Global.
When Christine Wardell was a teenager, she worked for an agricultural contractor and drove tractors - a far cry from the world of fashion.
University of Otago students David Booth and Harrison Uffindell were "meating" a need when they launched a delivery service earlier this year aimed at students.
Young Otago stock judge Will Gibson took on the Australians - and won.
Keri Johnston was about halfway through her final year at St Kevin's College, in Oamaru, when she decided to pursue an engineering degree.
Blis Technologies has teamed up with the Salvation Army to help fight the battle against tonsilitis and rheumatic fever.
Otago companies Oritain Global and Syrp have enjoyed success at the New Zealand Innovators Awards.
While global dairy and beef prices are forecast to rise due to widespread drought in the United States, economists are suggesting immediate gains to farmers may be limited.
Tracy Tessier-Varlet and Janice Stuart have a few things in common.
Southland-based meat company Alliance Group held a series of supplier roadshows throughout the country last week. Agribusiness reporter Sally Rae attended a roadshow at Pleasant Point, where the company outlined what had been a challenging year, and previewed the coming season.
The opportunities of changing land use is the theme for this year's New Zealand Grassland Association conference in Gore next month.
Alliance Group has announced new procurement policies, involving financial incentives, to "recognise and reward" committed loyal supply by shareholders.
Building of a $6 million salmon-processing factory in Timaru has been commissioned by Mt Cook Alpine Salmon. The plant will open next April, reversing the trend of processing and manufacturing jobs being lost overseas.
On the surface, music and engineering might not appear to have a lot in common, but Alex Ramsay has managed to combine the two.
Ever since she could remember, Carolyn Beaver wanted to be a veterinarian.
The growing popularity of New Zealand's farmed salmon is a driver of new employment in the Mackenzie Basin. Agribusiness reporter Sally Rae talks to Mount Cook Alpine Salmon chief executive Geoff Matthews about his plans.
A range of coats using merino wool from Closeburn Station in the Maniototo has been launched in Tokyo to much media interest.
A predicted fall in sheep and beef farm profits for the 2012-13 season, while disappointing, is not entirely unexpected given the global recession, Beef and Lamb New Zealand economic service executive director Rob Davison says.
