US firm to buy assets
Synlait Milk has entered an agreement to sell its North Island sites for $307 million to a United States buyer in a business shake-up to focus on core Canterbury operations.
Rural life
Chief exec confident Fonterra can pay $10/kg
Chief exec confident Fonterra can pay $10/kg
Fonterra is "confident" it can get another double-digit payout over the line after handing farmers a record $10.16 for each kilogram of milk solids produced in 2024-25.
Fonterra confident it can extend payout streak
Fonterra confident it can extend payout streak
Fonterra is "confident" it can get another double-digit payout over the line after handing farmers a record $10.16 for each kilogram of milksolids produced in 2024/25.
Letter to the editor: not our experience
Letter to the editor: not our experience
I read Shawn McAvinue’s article about calf rearing in Southern Rural Life on September 17.
Identical bull triplets a surprise
Identical bull triplets a surprise
There is a lot of bull being seen on a dairy farm just south of Gore.
Rural spending expected to increase
Rural spending expected to increase
A tight grip on wallets is about to loosen as dairy farmers usher in another double-digit payout from Fonterra.
DairyNZ science leadership team gets a refresh
DairyNZ science leadership team gets a refresh
DairyNZ has announced the appointment of Jenny Jago to a newly created leadership team role — science partnerships and impact adviser.
Waiting for the right time to buy
Waiting for the right time to buy
Southland dairy farmer Michael Berkers’ dream of farm ownership is on hold due to high prices.
Open Country to buy Mataura Valley
Open Country to buy Mataura Valley
Talley's Group-owned Open Country — New Zealand’s second-largest milk processor — has entered into a conditional agreement with the shareholders of Mataura Valley Milk to buy the business.
Scramble for 'quick, dirty' figures ahead of dairy talks
Scramble for 'quick, dirty' figures ahead of dairy talks
Emails obtained by RNZ show a last-minute scramble for hard data as pressure mounted on the government to respond to soaring butter prices.
Open Country to buy Mataura Valley Milk
Open Country to buy Mataura Valley Milk
Talley's Group-owned Open Country — New Zealand’s second-largest milk processor — has entered into a conditional agreement with the shareholders of Mataura Valley Milk to buy the business.
'No significant concerns' over animal welfare at uni farm
'No significant concerns' over animal welfare at uni farm
The Ministry for Primary Industries has visited Lincoln University's demonstration dairy farm following a complaint about animal welfare there.
Many benefits from cow shelters
Many benefits from cow shelters
In the final of a three-part series, Shawn McAvinue visits Southland dairy farms using different types of off-paddock infrastructure for calving, wintering, feeding and stand-off ...
Feed pad ‘worth its weight in gold’
Feed pad ‘worth its weight in gold’
Isla Bank farm owners and operators Tom and Kate Severn show their feed pad and wood chip calving areas.
Lay of the land
Lay of the land
Reporter Shawn McAvinue asks southern dairy farmers for a tip on how to survive calving.
Farm sales rise reflects higher milk prices
Farm sales rise reflects higher milk prices
Dairy farmers have their wallets out again as farm sales rise sharply in Southland and Canterbury on the back of higher milk prices.
Southland dairy farmer who exploited workers cops further fine
Southland dairy farmer who exploited workers cops further fine
A Southland dairy farmer who ripped off his workers has been penalised a further $15,000 for obstructing the employment authority's investigation.
Expansion of shed generates optimism
Expansion of shed generates optimism
A project to extend a milking shed is coming to an end, as calving begins on a dairy farm near Mataura.
New pad ‘future-proofing’ farm
New pad ‘future-proofing’ farm
In the first of a three-part series, Shawn McAvinue visits Southland dairy farms using different types of off-paddock infrastructure for calving, wintering, feeding and stand-off management.
Butter price likely to stick as demand lifts
Butter price likely to stick as demand lifts
Butter buyers flinching at $8.60 for a 500g block are unlikely to see this dropping any time soon as Fonterra glimpses more international demand ahead and dismisses talk of discounts or a two-tier...