Some farmers at Fieldays in Hamilton were positive about the future of the industry, but others said it wasn’t clear what the Government wanted from them.

A livestock carrier has departed Timaru’s port for Tiajin, China, with more than 11,500 cattle onboard.

TV presenter Ali Pugh readily admits she doesn’t come from a farming background but that was part of the appeal in her fronting TV coverage of The New Zealand Agricultural Show.

Gumboots, oilskins and cow prints are trending at the annual event in Hamilton.

Banks are starting to put pressure on Fonterra and farmers to become more sustainable or face higher funding costs, or risk not being able to get funding.

The new sequestration strategy that will also allow methane reducing technology to be used by sheep farmers.

On one hand it’s the same old, same old, at Fieldays, but the there are differences amongst the stands and the gumboots for farmers and exhibitors.

The move comes as Fonterra faces pressure from customers, trading partners and banks if it doesn’t meet sustainability expectations.

It’s a late start to Fieldays this year but organisers hope that a busy time on farm and inflation won’t tighten visitor numbers and wallets.

You can blame the Americans if the price of steak and other red meat doesn’t come down next year, as they will need to take all the world’s exports to fill their market needs.