2026 Meat Industry Association scholarship applications open
Applications have now opened for the 2026 Meat Industry Association scholarships.
An innovative idea for transforming mechanically deboned meat (MDM) into a meat flake for seasoning has taken top honours in the Meat Industry Association’s (MIA) first-ever Dragon’s Den competition.
Renyu Zhang, a senior scientist with AgResearch, won the inaugural contest, which challenged Kiwis to develop groundbreaking ideas to advance New Zealand’s red meat processing industry.
A total of 42 entries were received, with Zhang beating four other finalists to secure a prize of up to $10,000 to develop a business case and progress the idea into a research project.
Zhang’s ‘unamification’ of MDM proposal outlined a novel process to transform lower-value MDM into a meat flake with high unami (savoury flavour) which would be stable at room temperature and have uses as a protein enhancer and snack food.
Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of the Meat Industry Association, said the high calibre of entries made selecting the five finalists and ultimately the winner a challenging task.
“The competition recognised that many people have transformative ideas but may lack the resources to bring them to life.
“We sought bold, innovative concepts in meat industry research and development that align with the Government’s ambitious goal of doubling export value.
“All the finalists deserved credit, however, Zhang’s idea stood out both for the innovative process proposed and the opportunities for global interest in such a product.”
Zhang said he was pleased to win the competition and get an opportunity to take the project to the next stage.
“I’m honoured to win this inaugural Dragon’s Den event, and grateful to MIA for this opportunity,” he said.
“We have exciting opportunities to turn low-value streams from the meat industry into high-value, uniquely Kiwi products that can strengthen our global presence and add to our unique Kiwi taste profile. I look forward to working with industry partners to bring this vision to life.”
The Dragon’s Den final took place at the joint AgResearch-MIA Meat Innovation Workshop in Palmerston North on 11 March.
Contestants each had five minutes to pitch their ideas to the judging panel, followed by five minutes of Q&A with the judges and audience.
The judging panel featured industry leaders, Sirma Karapeeva, Andrew Clark, investment manager, Ministry for Primary Industries’ sustainable food and fibre team, Steve Cartwright, business manager, healthcare, ANZCO Foods and Bruce Fyfe, general manager, commercial, Auckland Meat Processors.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…