Editorial: Taming Trump
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.
Alliance says China is key to any stability in the lamb market.
"Prices look like they have settled but demand for volume remains subdued as consumption is slow to reach pre-Covid-19 levels. The China ripple effect, compounded by ongoing record volumes out of Australia at levels significantly lower than New Zealand, is continuing to undermine New Zealand prices."
Meanwhile, the company says mutton markets remain weak on the back of low demand from China.
"We are continuing to pursue diversified options into Taiwan, Malaysia, and North America but negative market sentiment remains. Large mutton volumes out of Australia continue to disrupt all markets."
On the venison front, Alliance says that game season negotiations have concluded with prices marginally improved on last season.
"Demand is strong for the key five week production period that covers September-early October shipments. Manufacturing items such as trim remain challenging."
In beef markets, the meat processor and exporter again points to China, where it says there have been fluctuations in wholesale pricing as importers continue to search for value.
"The North American market is stable with prices slightly improving in the last few weeks," Alliance adds. "Importers are more proactive in positioning themselves to purchase volume from New Zealand."
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.