Resilient Lamb Sales Surpass Expectations Amid Dry Spell in Ashburton High Country
TL;DR: In December, Ashburton’s high-country farmers encountered significant challenges due to a severe lack of rainfall, receiving only 12mm for the month. This dry spell led to depleted lamb feed and necessitated the early scheduling of annual on-farm lamb sales. Alan McIntyre, farm manager at Arrowsmith Station, noted the lambs were not in their ideal […]
New Zealand’s Red Meat Sector Faces Mixed Fortunes in 2024 Amid Global Pressures and Local Challenges
TL;DR: In 2024, New Zealand’s red meat sector may see a mix of challenges and opportunities, according to Rabobank’s Global Animal Protein Production Outlook. The report forecasts a 3% decrease in beef production, attributed to the ongoing reduction of dairy and beef herds. Despite this, international market dynamics, particularly from the US, are expected to […]
The Unseen Heroes of Urban Wildlife: City Bees
TL;DR: In the heart of the bustling city, where the dance of nature and concrete never ends, a tiny yet mighty force thrives amidst the chaos – the city bees. Often overlooked, these urban pollinators are playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of urban ecosystems and supporting the green patches that dot the […]
Australian Cattle Exports Await Indonesian Permit Approval for 2024
TL;DR: The Australian northern cattle trade is currently on hold, awaiting the issuance of official cattle import permits by Indonesia for the year 2024. While Indonesia has promptly allocated import quotas for Indian Buffalo Meat and Brazilian boxed beef, the delay in releasing cattle import permits is causing uncertainty within the Australian industry, especially with […]
Boost in Red Meat and Dairy Sales During Christmas Season
TL;DR: The Christmas season witnessed a significant increase in meat sales in the UK, with total meat, fish, and poultry (MFP) spending growing by 11.6% year-on-year (YoY) in the two weeks leading up to Christmas Day. This growth occurred despite ongoing cost pressures affecting consumers. In the red meat category, all proteins performed well in […]
Rebuilding a Resilient US Cattle Herd: A Fresh Perspective
TL;DR: The US cattle industry is at a crossroads, facing the challenge of rebuilding its herd with resilience at the forefront. A recent Rabobank report sheds light on this issue, emphasising the importance of adaptability in the face of uncertainties such as labour shortages, sustainability efforts, legal hurdles, and regulatory pressures. Lance Zimmerman, a senior […]
Weather Challenges Impact Queensland Beef Processing Operations
TL;DR: This week, Queensland’s beef processing operations are facing significant disruptions due to adverse weather conditions. The aftermath of Cyclone Kirrilly has brought heavy rainfall across the region, affecting Central and Southern Queensland the most. The early part of the week saw processing plants struggling to maintain supply, with expectations of these challenges persisting until […]
Navigating New Waters: The Impact of Red Sea Tensions on New Zealand Agriculture
TL;DR: Recent conflicts in the Red Sea, involving attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen on ships traversing to the Northern Hemisphere via the Suez Canal, have prompted military responses from the US and UK, supported by other nations. This situation poses a new challenge for global shipping routes, with potential implications for New Zealand’s […]
Enhancing National Lamb Day Celebrations in New Zealand
TL;DR: New Zealand’s Ag Proud charity is setting the stage for an enhanced celebration of National Lamb Day, inspired by Australia’s fervent observance of the occasion. This initiative commemorates the historic moment on February 15, 1882, when New Zealand dispatched its first shipment of frozen meat from Port Chalmers to London aboard the Dunedin. The […]
Europe Moves to Update Regulations for Advanced Gene Technologies
The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety has recently voted to establish a new regulatory framework for innovative genomic techniques (NGT). These techniques, which involve altering the genetic material of organisms, are currently regulated under the same stringent rules applied to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The proposed changes aim to make […]
