Friday, 27 November 2015 15:01

Cows fly to their death

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Some Australian cows are taking 13-hour flights to China before ending up on a plate.

Chinese demand for beef, which used to be called 'millionaire's meat', has grown fourfold since 2000, putting beef prices there among the most expensive in the world. Hence Elders' decision to fly the cows and milk the fresh beef market for all it's worth.

Crated and loaded onto the main deck of a Boeing 747 cargo plane by hydraulic lift, the 150 beasts this month were on Australia's first live flight to central China. Destination: the abattoir.

More like this

Birth woes

OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.

China’s new beef tariffs expected to favour New Zealand exporters

Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact that, now more than ever, US farmers are being propped up by government welfare – a direct result of Trump’s hardline on its trading partners.

Strong wool eyes China

China looks set to play a key role in helping the New Zealand wool sector shift away from trading as a commodity supplier.

Blank Canvas rides white wine wave as New Zealand wine sales soar in China

If you find a new consumer in a developed wine market, you are taking them from someone else, says Blank Canvas co-founder Sophie Parker-Thomson MW.

Featured

AgriSea NZ Appoints Craig Hudson as Chief Growth Officer to Drive Global Expansion

Agrisea NZ has appointed Craig Hudson as it's new chief growth officer.

State Farmer Delivers Solid Half-Year Result

State farmer Landcorp, trading as Pamu, is a forecasting a full-year net profit of around $100 million.

Ruralco CEO Wins Excellence in Business Leadership at ANZ Business of the Year Awards

Tony Aitken, chief executive of Ruralco, has been awarded the Excellence in Business Leadership Award at the ANZ Business of the Year Awards.

Global Trade Uncertainty 'Likely To Remain'

Global trade has been thrown into another bout of uncertainty following the overnight ruling by US Supreme Court, striking down President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on trading partners.

Queensland Fruit Fly Movement Controls Lifted in Mt Roskill

Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted.

Another Windfall for Fonterra Farmers, Unit Holders

Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.

National

Alex Turnbull Appointed CEO of Yili Oceania Division

Former Fonterra executive Alex Turnbull has been appointed CEO to lead all five Yili Oceania Business Division companies in New Zealand.

Dedoncker Departs Fonterra After Mainland Group Sale

Fonterra executive René Dedoncker is leaving the co-operative later this year to lead Australian agribusiness Elders.

Organic plan generates strong farmer interest

Fonterra's plan to expand its organic programme to the South Island is being well received by farmers, the co-op says.

DairyNZ Levy Vote Underway as Chair Highlights Seven-Fold Return

Voting has started for the renewal of DairyNZ's milksolids levy.

NZ Catchment Groups Thrive with ‘Source to Sea’ Approach

The most successful catchment groups in NZ are those that have 'a source to sea' approach.

Machinery & Products

Massey Ferguson 5M Series Gains Ground in NZ’s 95–145hp Utility Tractor Market

Since its official release to the New Zealand market in July 2025, the Massey Ferguson 5M Series has steadily solidified…

Claas Invests €3.3 Million in Metz Plant to Boost CEREX and CUBIX Baler Production

Following the €1.6 million investment in a prototype workshop in early 2025, Claas has invested an additional €3.3 million at…

Stihl unveils centennial MS 500i chainsaw

Most rural properties wouldn’t be without a chainsaw, so it’s fitting to celebrate the centenary of Andreas Stihl inventing the…

New Deutz-Fahr 5105 boosts power for Kiwi livestock farms

With ROPS tractors still being consistently popular in livestock operations, given their ease of use for hopping on and off…

John Deere showcases 130hp E-Power electric tractor prototype at Agritechnica

Easily missed on its expansive Agritechnica site, John Deere offered visitors to the bi-annual event, the first opportunity in Europe to…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Visit archives

Cows fly to their death

More like this

Birth woes

China’s new beef tariffs expected to favour New Zealand exporters

Cold comfort

Strong wool eyes China

Blank Canvas rides white wine wave as New Zealand wine sales soar in China

Popular Reads

Environment Canterbury urges buyers to check wastewater systems on rural properties

Fonterra confirms timeline for Lactalis deal and $2-per-share capital return

Canterbury arable farmers face heavy losses after stormy January wreaks havoc

Northland Field Days promise unforgettable 40th anniversary Celebration

Formula goes sour

Featured

AgriSea NZ Appoints Craig Hudson as Chief Growth Officer to Drive Global Expansion

State Farmer Delivers Solid Half-Year Result

Ruralco CEO Wins Excellence in Business Leadership at ANZ Business of the Year Awards

Global Trade Uncertainty 'Likely To Remain'

Queensland Fruit Fly Movement Controls Lifted in Mt Roskill

Another Windfall for Fonterra Farmers, Unit Holders

National

Alex Turnbull Appointed CEO of Yili Oceania Division

Dedoncker Departs Fonterra After Mainland Group Sale

Organic plan generates strong farmer interest

DairyNZ Levy Vote Underway as Chair Highlights Seven-Fold Return

NZ Catchment Groups Thrive with ‘Source to Sea’ Approach

Machinery & Products

Massey Ferguson 5M Series Gains Ground in NZ’s 95–145hp Utility Tractor Market

Claas Invests €3.3 Million in Metz Plant to Boost CEREX and CUBIX Baler Production

Stihl unveils centennial MS 500i chainsaw

New Deutz-Fahr 5105 boosts power for Kiwi livestock farms

John Deere showcases 130hp E-Power electric tractor prototype at Agritechnica

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Disunity is death

Indian FTA

» eNewsletter

Cows fly to their death

More like this

» Latest Print Issues Online

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter