Dry weather and weak dairy prices underpinned higher beef slaughter rates in the first quarter, driving prices lower, but they remain strong by historical standards, Rabobank said in its quarterly....

Dairy prices fell sharply at the latest GlobalDairyTrade (GDT) auction, bringing to an end the so-called "drought premium" built in to prices over February.

Yoghurt and ice cream products made from sheep milk have been developed by the nation’s largest farmer Landcorp - with plans to expand.

Dairy product prices declined in the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction, led by a slump in prices for butter milk powder and whole milk powder.

A major disruptive play will be launched in the Chinese baby formula market in Beijing today which could ultimately have a big impact - some say seismic - on the price paid for imported product by....

Almost 2000 people are being viewed as persons of interest in the investigation into the threat to contaminate infant formula with 1080 poison.

In the lobby of Ireland's Agriculture Department in Dublin, a flat-screen TV displays a digital clock counting down the seconds until April 1.

Farmers will be disappointed with Fonterra's downwardly revised forecast dividend for the current season, especially given the low farm gate milk price.

Expectations that a higher dividend from Fonterra would at least partly offset a low milk price went by the wayside yesterday when the co-operative lowered its dividend forecast range.

The dairy industry can weather the prospect of increased production from the EU once quotas are lifted on April 1, says the chief executive of the farmer-funded DairyNZ.

Economists expect Fonterra to stick with its $4.70 per kg farm gate milk price forecast for 2014/15 when it reports its first-half result tomorrow.

It remains to be seen how, if at all, Fonterra will communicate the performance of its Chinese infant formula investment to farmers and unit holders in its NZX-listed shareholders' fund.

All of the samples of infant formula tested by police after being suspected of possible tampering have tested negative for 1080.

Farmers will be looking to Fonterra's dividend to at least partially offset what is likely to be a low farmgate milk price this season after dairy prices fell by 8.8 per cent.

Just when you thought it was safe to venture into the dairy market, prices drop by 8.8 per cent.

International dairy prices fell by 8.8 per cent at this morning's GlobalDairyTrade auction - the first sale to be held since the 1080 infant formula scare.

Wellington Beltway denizens often refer to MFAT as standing for the Ministry for Fonterra and other Trade.

Extra controls have been placed on the storage and importing of 1080 following a threat to use the pesticide to contaminate infant formula.

A partnership with Beingmate Baby & Child could begin boosting Fonterra's branded infant formula sales in China this year.

Market sentiment at tomorrow's GlobalDairyTrade auction will be tested following the revelations last week of a threat to the food safety of New Zealand infant formula, says ANZ.

Dairy giant Fonterra will purchase an 18.8 per cent stake in Chinese infant formula maker Beingmate Baby & Child, slightly less than the 20 per cent shareholding it was aiming for.

The asset base of one of the country's biggest Maori businesses is up $3 million, from rising land valuations and a new farm purchase.

This time, with the threat made by some nasty individual to poison baby formula with 1080, it certainly seems like Government and industry efforts have been much better co-ordinated.

Economists expect some easing in the pace of economic growth when the December quarter national accounts are published on Thursday.