Alliance Group faces crucial vote on Dawn Meats deal
The future of the Alliance Group is “pretty dark” if the proposed Dawn Meats deal does not go through, says board chair Mark Wynne.
Alliance Group is partnering with the global retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S) on a range of value-add branded beef and lamb products in Singapore.
The M&S branded range, all further processed in New Zealand, is now available in 11 stores on the island, home to almost six million people.
The farmer-owned co-operative is supplying lamb mince and shoulder, French racked lamb, diced beef, minced beef and stir fry strips and sirloin, ribeye and fillet steaks.
Shane Kingston, general manager sales at Alliance Group, says M&S was looking for a trusted partner to help it meet the growing demand for protein in Singapore.
“This programme is the culmination of discussions between Alliance and M&S, which began almost two years ago. M&S recognised Alliance as a global trusted leader in the grass-fed free-range beef and lamb category.
“This partnership fits with our strategy to capture more market value and builds on our existing long-term relationship with M&S.”
The global retailer is targeting customers including locals, ex-patriates and premium ‘foodies’ customers with a promotional campaign underpinned by a ‘farmer to consumer’ story and a focus on quality.
M&S operates more than 1,500 stores across the globe and serves nearly 30 million customers every year.
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.
Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.
The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.

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