Tuesday, 18 August 2015 06:00

Caviar of the future

Written by 
Grass-fed beef. Grass-fed beef.

Grass-fed meat out of New Zealand is the “caviar of the future”, says Stu Chapman, who stepped down this month as Elders NZ managing director after 21 years with the company.

Agriculture in NZ has a big future, says Chapman. 

“We are a food bowl, there is no doubt,” he told Rural News. “We must protect our biosecurity; we need to protect our borders and the fact that we are seen as a supplier of quality food through different parts of the world.

“We need to make sure we hang onto that NZ Inc brand because we are not a low cost producer any more. 

“There are a lot of countries around the world that can produce that same product cheaper than us but we have a reputation as delivering quality safe products.”

Chapman says he can’t remember the last time sheepmeat, beef meat and wool were well ahead of dairy, as they are now.

The red meat sector in NZ has bright prospects. “Grass-fed meat out of NZ is potentially the caviar of the future,” he says.

“So for me the sheep and cattle future looks extremely bright and exciting.” 

More like this

Elders mum on PGW

Australian rural services company Elders has downplayed media speculation it is raising funds for a buyout of New Zealand’s largest agricultural services company PGG Wrightson (PGW).

New man at helm of wool company

CP Wool is enjoying strong growth, with an increase in market share, says its new chairman, South Otago farmer Howie Gardner.

Elders’ top man to take time out

Stu Chapman started his working life as a dairy farmer in Waikato but after contracting leptospirosis he was advised to get away from cattle. That sent him to the other side of the ag sector – the commercial side. 

Chapman bows out

Longtime Elders New Zealand managing director Stu Chapman will later this month leave the business he started.

Featured

DairyNZ supports vocational education reforms

DairyNZ is supporting a proposed new learning model for apprenticeships and traineeships that would see training, education, and pastoral care delivered together to provide the best chance of success.

The Cook Islands squabble

The recent squabble between the Cook Islands and NZ over their deal with China has added a new element of tension in the relationship between China and NZ.

Wyeth to head Synlait

Former Westland Milk boss Richard Wyeth is taking over as chief executive of Canterbury milk processor Synlait from May 19.

National

Chilled cow cuts enter China

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports into China following approval of its Levin and Mataura plants…

New CEO for Safer Farms

Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture, has appointed Brett Barnham as its new chief…

Machinery & Products

AGCO and SDF join hands

Tractor and machinery manufacturer AGCO has signed a supply agreement with the European-based SDF Group, best known for its SAME,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Sacrificed?

OPINION: Henry Dimbleby, author of the UK's Food Strategy, recently told the BBC: "Meat production is about 85% of our…

Entitled much?

OPINION: For the last few weeks, we've witnessed a parade of complaints about New Zealand's school lunch program: 'It's arriving…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter