Alexa Cook

The weather and election stress are factors in a spate of suspected farmer suicides in recent weeks, New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive says.

The wine industry has had a bumper year and there's optimisim about further export growth.

Farmers aren't keeping good enough stock movement records and it's slowing down efforts to track the cattle disease mycoplasma bovis, Federated Farmers says.

Researchers are planning to test growth hormone injections on pregnant women after successful trials on sheep.

Southland farmers are feeling nervous about stock infected with the cattle disease potentially having been moved around the district.

Farmers are "stunned" the cattle disease mycoplasma bovis has made it to Hawke's Bay, a Hastings dairy farmer and rural community board member says. Audio

New Zealand's largest sheep meat processor, Alliance Group, is working overtime to keep up with an influx of sheep and lambs due to farmers off loading stock in preparation for a long dry summer.

A small business in rural Hawke's Bay is cashing in on global demand for its health and beauty ingredients made out of animal by-products such as placentas, brains, and eyes. Video, Audio

MPI's forecast for primary sector exports has fallen by $265 million, partly driven by the weakening of global dairy markets.

Otorohanga District Council are against resource consent being granted for a $230 million dairy factory which locals are worried will threaten wildlife.

Another drop in milk prices could be on the cards for farmers this season, says a dairy analyst.

State farmer Landcorp has launched a health and safety programme to try and reduce the high number of deaths and accidents in the sector.

Rural confidence has plummeted from its record highs, driven by farmers' political concerns over the change of government and commodity market falls.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is confident that no pea weevils will be found in the Wairarapa this season and is hopeful that the pest has been eradicated.

A record number of lambs have been born this year.

Farmers are keeping a close eye on the rain radar, as soil moisture levels plummet.

The governent's tightening of overseas investment in NZ farm land is causing some debate over whether or not it will lower land prices.

Another heavy downpour before Christmas could be disastrous for Central Otago's cherry crop, a fruit grower says.

The average cow is producing more litres of milk than ever before according to Dairy NZ

A new app for the Australian wool industry is creating tension among wool brokers.

The meat industry should not be complacent about the threat of alternative protein food products, a report warns.

Dairy farmers are disappointed and nervous following the latest fall in global prices, after hoping the market would improve.

Farmers are back on high alert over the cattle disease outbreak after more farms were confirmed to be infected.

Changing wool trends give rise to eco-friendly yoga mats