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

Farmers Face Change but Opportunity as Sector Evolves

New Zealand's food and fibre sector is entering a period of significant transition and Irricon's refreshed brand reflects how both the business and the sector it supports have evolved, says director Keri Johnston.

National

Machinery & Products

Chinese Tractors Eye Western Europe

Having caused quite a stir at last year’s Agritechnica, Chinese manufacturer Zoomlion is reported to be conducting large-scale field trials…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

What A Choice!

OPINION: If you ask this old mutt, the choice at the next election isn't shaping up as a contest of…

Your Call!

OPINION: A mate of yours says we're long overdue for a reckoning on what value farmers really get for the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter