NZX, the financial markets operator, is developing a new market offering New Zealand dairy farmers a way to lessen the risk of volatile milk prices.

"Pleasant surprise" at global dairy auction.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy gave a group of Waikato farmers a pep talk yesterday.

Fonterra could let farmer shareholders sell shares based on annual milk production to reduce debt, analysts say.

The NZX is expected to announce plans for a new milk futures contract tomorrow, which will be aimed at picking up where Fonterra's controversial guaranteed milk price scheme left off.

Strengthening NZ dollar, increased output from Europe and reduced imports from China add to poor outlook.

Fonterra stole the show during last month's sentencing of 1080 blackmailer Jeremy Kerr.

Fitch Ratings said growth in European milk production will further delay a recovery in global milk prices beyond 2016.

New Zealand's rural confidence is close to its lowest point in 10 years, Rabobank said.

Synlait expects premium payments to its farmer suppliers to double, mainly on the back of a boom in infant formula sales.

Non-compliant employment agreements, inaccurate employment records and paying holiday pay incorrectly among the breaches.

NZ-made Karicare formula has been pulled out of China, more than two years after the brand took a hammering following the Fonterra botulism scare.

COMMENT: Dairy farmers make milk. Banks provide loans. Dairy farmers are part of the private sector. The banks are the same.

'We are grinning and bearing it." That's how Taranaki sharemilker Charlie McCaig describes how he and his wife Jody are faring with a milk price.

COMMENT: McGrathNicol business partners Andrew Grenfell and Conor McElhinneyrs talk about the flow-on effects of low dairy prices.

Fonterra's increased dividend payment isn't enough for most farmers to pay their interest bill, says Jacqueline Rowarth.

The Ministry for Primary Industries says it will take action against baby formula marketer Fernbaby if the company continues to make "therapeutic claims" about its products.

Powerful victim impact statement read in court ahead of the sentencing of 1080 blackmailer Jeremy Kerr.

Theo Spierings said a "temporary imbalance" exists between Fonterra's strong results and farmers' tough times.

COMMENT: Criticism from farmers about the cost of supply rules ignores built-in protection, writes Peter Fraser.

Finally some good news for dairy farmers - Fonterra will be doubling its dividend payout after profits jumped 123 per cent.

COMMENT: Fonterra has made the right call by accelerating dividend payments instead of extending its dairy farmer shareholders loan package, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Infant formula brand Fernbaby is under fire for questionable marketing claims, including a testimonial on its website that suggests the product cured a baby's asthma and bronchitis.

COMMENT: The crisis in the dairy industry is of course a savage blow to many individual dairy farmers.

Fonterra may dust off last year's support package or boost the percentage of earnings paid as dividends to help farmers hit by the dairy downturn.

What's going on in dairy is fully explainable and virtually none of it is anyone's fault in this country. We've been here before with dairy and without a doubt we will be here again.

Fonterra will unveil a strong half-year financial result on Wednesday, but this will not mute the criticism that has emerged.

Cash-strapped dairy farmers can at least look forward to a strong first-half performance from Fonterra when it reports its result this week.