Meat & Livestock News

Farmers Seek Clearer Policies for Sustainable Growth

Federated Farmers, a prominent agricultural lobby, has unveiled its “rural roadmap” for the upcoming government. This roadmap, designed for the 2023 elections, emphasises 12 pivotal policy modifications the organisation wishes to realise.  Over the past half-decade, the agricultural community has navigated a maze of regulatory alterations. Wayne Langford, the president of Federated Farmers, commented on […]

Australia’s 2024 Beef Production Forecasted to Reach Historic Levels

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Ag Service (USDA FAS) has released its annual report on Australia’s livestock and beef outlook. The report predicts that in 2024, Australia’s beef production could achieve the sixth highest volume ever recorded, amounting to 2.25 million tonnes.  Additionally, beef exports are anticipated to attain the fourth highest level […]

Decline in New Zealand’s Meat Exports to China

New Zealand has witnessed a significant decline in its red meat exports to China, its largest export market. Data from the Meat Industry Association (MIA) reveals that in July, there was a substantial decrease in both beef and sheepmeat exports to China. Specifically, sheepmeat exports fell by 31% in volume to 12,148 tonnes and 45% […]

Value Infusion in Meat Processing

Meat processors continually seek methods to enhance the value of their products. One such method is the injection of brines and cures. This technique not only revitalises lesser cuts of meat but also significantly boosts the bottom line for processors. Unlike batch processes, injection operates inline, representing the most contemporary and efficient method of value […]

Planning for Anticipated Severe Drought

Key figures in the primary sector are preparing for the possibility of one of the nation’s most severe droughts. Lochie MacGillivray, a consultant with AgFirst based in Hawke’s Bay, extensively researches strategies East Coast farmers can employ to cope with a drought. MacGillivray highlights that many farmers are already grappling with financial challenges due to […]

Consumer Preferences Shift in Red Meat and Dairy Purchases 

During the Covid lockdowns, factors such as enjoyment, variety, and the desire for change played a significant role in food purchasing decisions. However, with the easing of restrictions and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, there’s been a noticeable shift in consumer behaviour. The emphasis on variety during mealtimes has lessened, with many households now favouring simpler […]

USDA Anticipates Easing of Meat Price Inflation in Forthcoming Years

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled its most recent Food Price Outlook report, providing insights into the expected price movements for red meat and poultry. This disclosure follows a year where these specific categories were instrumental in elevating the food-at-home inflation rate by 11.4%. According to projections from the USDA’s Economic Research […]

USDA Unveils $1.4 Billion Funding Plan to Enhance Agricultural Exports

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revealed a strategic investment of $1.4 billion to fortify the country’s agricultural exports. The funding mechanism for this initiative will be the Commodity Credit Corporation, as indicated in a report by National Hog Farmer. The initiative, termed the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), takes its structural cues […]

USDA’s FSIS Initiates Antibiotics Sampling Program

The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), in collaboration with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), has commenced a new exploratory sampling scheme.  This initiative aims to determine the presence of antibiotic residues in cattle that are marketed under the “raised without antibiotics (RWA)” label. This move by the FSIS was […]

MLA Adoption Programmes Yield Over $1 Billion in Benefits for Producers

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) recently released its annual Producer Adoption Outcomes Report, highlighting the significant benefits of its adoption programmes. Between 2015 and 2023, these programmes generated a net profit of $1.04 billion for producers who embraced new practices. In the fiscal year 2022-23, the programmes provided $59 million in annual net benefits, benefiting […]