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

China No Longer Just A Commodity Story - Luxon

China remains New Zealand’s biggest market, taking $23 billion of our exports, but it’s no longer a commodity story, says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Fonterra Expands China Foodservice Business with New Anchor Essence Cream

Fonterra is strengthening its foodservice presence in China with the launch of a new cream for professional bakeries at Bakery China 2026 in Shanghai.

Diplomatic Incident

OPINION: Your old mate hears an international incident is threatening to blow up the long-standing Anzac alliance as Kiwis and Aussies argue over who wants new Australian resident and former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

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.

Featured

Editorial: Time to Boost Organics

OPINION: The time has come for the Government to back the organic sector.

El Niño Warning: NZ Farmers Urged to Plan Fert Early

Plan ahead and be patient. That’s the message to farmers and horticulturalists from the chairman of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association, Kent Weir.

NZ Industry Craves Ag Graduates, Says Massey Professor

The industry is crying out for graduates with agricultural related degrees.

CNH Tech Chief on Autonomous Machinery, AI in Farming

While GPS and guidance have become the norm and yield mapping and variable application continues to gain traction, most agricultural machinery manufacturers continue to expand their technology offerings, amalgamating the vast amounts of data being collected to streamline real-time and ongoing management decisions.

NZ's Top Trade Negotiator Warns of Rising Protectionism

Supply chain problems, growing protectionism and a move to greater food security are some of the key challenges facing New Zealand exporters, according to our top trade negotiator, Vangelis Vitalis.

Barry Cuttance Suspension: Inside the NZDFA Dispute

A spat within the ranks of the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association has resulted in the suspension of outspoken North Canterbury farmer Barry Cuttance.

National

Ballance Urges Farmers to Plan Ahead for El Niño

With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging…