Fonterra will offer quicker payments to suppliers - if it gets a discount in return.

Fonterra has been copping heavy criticism over its strategy as the financial pressure facing farmer shareholders deepens.

Dairy farm values are tumbling, according to data from the Real Estate Institute of NZ.

The economy grew faster than expected in the December quarter but economists remained unimpressed.

The man who became Northland's biggest dairy farmer puts his success down to the skills he gained helping on his father's farm as a child.

Dairy is expected pick up again later this year and into next. It's not all doom and gloom though—where dairy struggles, others will prosper.

However, even the Reserve Bank's best case scenario sees farm prices fall by 20pc, while the worst case scenario would see a fall in land prices of 40pc.

Fonterra has confirmed the closure of its cheese plant in Kaikoura next month.

A new strain of virus that could decrease the number of rabbits by 30 per cent is up for government approval.

NZ farmers may be in for a more prolonged slump in dairy prices after the EU announced plans to double the amount of skim milk powder it is prepared to buy.

COMMENT: Next Wednesday will be another major milestone in the NZ dairy industry. Dairy giant Fonterra will unveil its latest results.

Futures market pricing suggests tomorrow morning's GlobalDairyTrade auction will be flat to slightly better.

Federated Farmers and Dairy NZ have been holding around the country aimed at helping farmers, particularly sharemilkers, through the downturn.

The South Island dairy processor will need to consider investing in expansion given the rapid growth of A2, analysts say.

Bill English has ruled out a bailout for struggling dairy farmers after Andrew Little said the Govt should consider emergency relief similar to droughts.

Bank analyst has confidence in the sector's ability to adapt but says that some of those ill-prepared for the downturn will go to the wall.

Northland farm supplier Grant Whyte says the drop in dairy prices has been impossible to miss.

Fonterra said a member of its management team, Maury Leyland, has resigned for personal reasons, effective from March 31.

WATCH: On the latest extra episode of The Economy Hub, guest panelists Brian Gaynor and Fran O'Sullivan discuss Fonterra.

The long-term outlook for the dairy sector is strong, but the immediate future is highly concerning, says Mark Lister.

It is incomprehensible Fonterra's board could have persistently got it so wrong.

Sharemilkers and young people are leaving the industry as pay opportunities worsen.

Fonterra says it remains financially sound, despite high debt levels.

The kiwi dollar has dropped this morning after Fonterra cut its farmer payout for the second time this year.