Farming

* February red meat exports rose 25 per cent, reaching $1.1 billion in total value * United States led beef growth with record-breaking $251 million in monthly exports * EU sheepmeat demand surged, with volumes up 42 per cent and value climbing 84 per cent New Zealand’s red meat sector had

* Fonterra's earnings and milk collections rose as it focused on long-term value creation * Interim dividend announced as product demand, performance and milk price forecasts all remain strong * Chair and executive team named for potential IPO of Consumer business Mainland Group Fonterra has reported a solid first-half performance for

* Court decision halts costly resource consent requirements for over 3000 Southland farmers. * Farmers faced expenses of up to $30,000 just to continue routine farming. * Legislative changes to the Resource Management Act are expected later this year. A recent court decision has provided relief for over 3000 Southland farmers, pausing

* Federated Farmers Southland encourages hunters to buy game bird licences from other regions. * The boycott aims to protest Southland Fish & Game’s alleged anti-farming stance. * Federation urges constructive engagement between Fish & Game and the farming community. Federated Farmers Southland is calling on duck hunters in the region to

* Brad Fallow will represent Southland in a top national excavator competition this March. * Three women are finalists for the first time in the event’s 31-year history. * The event will include career-focused experiences for those exploring civil construction. Invercargill’s Brad Fallow is set to take on the nation’s

* Kiwi Econet's edible bale netting offers a sustainable alternative to plastic netting. * Southland farmer Grant Lightfoot created the product, inspired while working as a diver. * Farmers worldwide are showing strong interest, including requests from Texas. A Southland farmer's innovative edible bale netting is gaining worldwide attention,

* Government aims to speed up approval of agricultural and horticultural products to boost productivity. * Review recommends halving approval times, potentially saving $272 million over 20 years. * Industry welcomes changes but urges swift action to rebuild confidence in the system. The Government has announced plans to cut red tape for agricultural

Dipton shearer Corey Palmer achieved a major milestone in his career by winning the South Island Shearer of the Year final at the Southern Shears in Gore on Saturday. The victory marked one of the biggest upset wins in recent Open-class shearing competitions in New Zealand. Palmer had not won