Meat wellness, well done
Newly published research shows overseas consumers have a strong interest in improving their wellbeing through eating red meat, highlighting opportunities to achieve a premium for products with proven health benefits.
AgResearch and Taratahi's new partnership aims to strengthen agricultural and hill country science and educational opportunities for the agricultural sector.
As part of the partnership AgResearch will have the opportunity to access Taratahi's 12 farms spread across the North Island to undertake research projects. Taratahi will lease AgResearch's 487ha Ballantrae hill country farm near Woodville for education and research purposes.
AgResearch shared services director Andrew McSweeney says the partnership provides both organisations with great opportunities.
"It gives Taratahi a well-located farm for training purposes and their students get the opportunity to work with our scientists. Taratahi take over the day-to-day operation of Ballantrae and we continue to have access for research purposes. There is also the potential for AgResearch to work with Taratahi on the other farms they manage.
"These farms cover a diverse range of landscapes, climates and soils which provide for new opportunities for hill country and other research," he says.
Furthermore, the partnership could be the basis of future research applications, McSweeney says.
Taratahi chief executive Arthur Graves says the partnership will have huge benefits for students.
"This partnership will strengthen both organisations and offer some unique education opportunities. It will also provide greater opportunities for farm management and science students.
"Manawatu students, in particular will have access to a highly regarded research farms.
"Farming excellence today relies on the increased use of technology and science so our students will go into the agricultural workforce with greater insights and knowledge that can be applied to improve farm profitability".
AgResearch and Taratahi are currently planning the transition of farm management, which will occur over the autumn of 2016.
Animal rights organization, SAFE says the government needs to maintain the ban on live exports.
New findings from not-for-profit food supply and distribution organization, the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) have revealed a 42% increase in demand for food support in 2023 compared to 2022.
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.