New Zealand Government Axes ‘Ute Tax’ to Support Farmers
In a significant policy reversal, New Zealand’s new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, has delivered on a key campaign promise by repealing the contentious ‘Ute Tax’. This move, executed within the Government’s first 100 days, has been positively received by the agricultural sector. Legislative Shift and Farmer Impact The legislation passed in the last weeks […]
UK Agricultural Exports Face Shipping Challenges
In recent developments, New Zealand’s dairy exports are experiencing significant delays in reaching international markets. These delays, extending up to three weeks, are due to diversions around the Cape of Good Hope and capacity restrictions at the Panama Canal. Avoiding Conflict Zones and Canal Delays Fonterra’s director of global supply chain, Santiago Aon, highlighted that […]
USDA Welcomes New Members to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment of new members to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, a key move in bolstering the beef industry’s promotional and research efforts. Details of the Appointments In total, 26 individuals have been appointed to the board. Of these, 25 will serve three-year terms, […]
FAO Reports Decline in Meat Price Index
The FAO Food Price Index experienced a notable decrease in December, dropping by 10.1% from its November level, contributing to an overall annual reduction of 13.7% compared to the average value in 2022. This decline was influenced by decreases in the indices for meat, sugar, and vegetable oils. Meat Price Index Trends Focusing on the […]
Hamilton Sheep Sale Report: 12th January 2024
The latest Hamilton Sheep Sale, conducted on the 12th of January, 2024, showcased a total yarding of 12,000 sheep, marking a noticeable decrease from the previous sale. Despite the lower numbers, the quality of the stock presented was exceptional, predominantly featuring a mix of heavy and medium-weight crossbred ewes, along with a significant representation of […]
Mexico’s 2024 Strategy: Extending Duty Exemption on Meat Imports
In a decisive move to tackle escalating food prices, the Mexican government has prolonged its policy of exempting certain food imports from duties, including key items like pork, beef, and poultry. This extension, stretching to the end of 2024, marks a continuation of a policy first implemented in May 2022, initially planned for a year […]
USDA Allocates Over $203 Million to Boost U.S. Food and Agricultural Exports
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has announced the allocation of more than $203 million in funding to approximately 70 agricultural organisations. This initiative aims to enhance export markets for U.S. food and agricultural products through the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program. Among the recipients, […]
$5.1 Million Boost for Nebraska’s Meat Processing
Nebraska’s Department of Agriculture is injecting $5.1 million into its meat processing sector. This move, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, is part of the Independent Processor Assistance Program (IPAP). It’s a significant step to upgrade the state’s meat processing capabilities. Sherry Vinton, the NDA Director, praised the innovative use of IPAP grants so […]
Current Trends in Hog Production: A Detailed Overview
As of December 1, the USDA reports a total hog and pig population of about 74.97 million. This number shows a slight rise of 0.88% from the last quarter and a marginal increase of 0.02% from the previous year. These figures are slightly above the market’s expected 0.6% decrease. The increase is mainly due to […]
2023: A Landmark Year for Australian Beef Exports
TLDR Australia witnessed a remarkable surge in beef exports in 2023, reaching a volume not seen in the past five years. Official data from the Department of Agriculture reveals that exports exceeded 1.08 million tonnes, a significant jump from the previous year and the highest since the drought-driven peak of 2019. The year 2023 marked […]
