Dairy
Synlait to pay farmers bonuses
The small Canterbury dairy company, Synlait, is paying its farmer-suppliers a total of around 6 million dollars in bonuses, on top of its milk price. Audio
Govt needs to talk to banks about dairy - Labour
The government needs to put pressure on banks to prevent a large number of dairy farmers from losing their land, Labour leader Andrew Little says. Audio
Low milk prices 'wiping farmers out'
It is a real possibility that 25 percent of dairy farms could fail if the milk price doesn't rise soon, an agriculture consultant says. Audio
Dairy farmers could be headed for crash landing
Could New Zealand's dairy sector be headed for a crash landing? Agriculture consultant Peter Fraser joins Checkpoint. Video, Audio
John Key says as many as 10 pct of dairy farmers could fail
The Prime Minister John Key has put a figure on how many dairy farmers could fail because of the dairy downturn. Audio
Private prosecutor sets sights on Fonterra
Private prosecutor Graham McCready plans to take Fonterra to court because of its move to make creditors wait 90 days for bill payment.
Analyst - banks will be cautious loaning money for dairy farms
Concerns are growing that dairy farmers wanting to sell out of their businesses could struggle, with banks becoming nervous about lending to people in the dairy sector. Audio
National dairy debt at 'crisis point'
New Zealand's dairy debt has reached $37.8 billion - a level one farming consultant is describing as a crisis point. Janette Walker joins Checkpoint. Audio
Fonterra cuts payout, dairy debt balloons
As dairy debt balloons, Fonterra, who - in May of last year - said "We can expect prices to recover going forward", today cut their forecast payout for milk solids by 25 cents a kilo. Audio
Economist on forecast payout drop
Fonterra's cut its payout forecast for its 10.5 thousand farmer suppliers to $3.90 a kilo of milk solids which might rise to a maximum of $4.30 with added dividends. Audio
Landcorp confirms forest-to-dairy backdown
Landcorp has confirmed it is backing away from a massive planned dairy conversion in the central North Island. Audio
Banks respond to dairy pressure
And listening to that is Hayley Moynihan, the General Manager at Rabobank New Zealand. Audio
Dairy farmers scared of the banks
Some dairy farmers say they're worried the banks won't support them through the winter, with some already being told their business is no longer viable. Audio
Dairy farmer feels abandoned by bank
As dairy debt continues to swell, some dairy farmers say they're worried the banks won't support them through the winter. Audio
Academy to create NZ's next generation of dairy farmers
A new Dairy Academy has officially been opened to help create New Zealand's next generation of dairy farmers.
The dairy downturn starts to bite in rural New Zealand
A Southland rural vet and business owner says the ripples from the dairy downturn are already striking other sectors of the rural economy. Mark Bryan is based in the small rural town of Winton in… Audio
How long will the banks stick with dairy farmers?
Agriculture consultant Alison Dewes is warning that low milk prices could hang around for some time and dairy farmers need to re-think their farm systems in order to survive.
Audio
Minister meets with banks as concerns over dairy debt grows
A growing number of dairy farmers face being forced to sell up as global milk prices stay low. Audio
Agriculture should be part of ETS - former dairy farmer
An agri business consultant says dairy farmers won't necessarily see their bottom line suffer if dairy is included in the Emissions Trading Scheme. Audio
A different kind of dairy
Alexa Cook explores the dairy goat and sheep industry to find out why more people are keen to get involved. Video, Audio, Gallery
