Pig farmers respond to new welfare standards
Pig farmers are cautiously welcoming new animal welfare standards announced by the Government last week.
According to a recent survey, 34.8% of Kiwis will serve ham as their main protein on December 25, beating out lamb by 0.2%.
Ham has edged out lamb to become Kiwis’ top choice for their Christmas tables this year.
According to a recent survey, 34.8% of Kiwis will serve ham as their main protein on December 25, beating out lamb by 0.2%.
NZPork chief executive Brent Kleiss says the holiday season is the perfect time for Kiwis to gather with family and friends to celebrate.
“Every year, lamb and ham go head-to-head for the top spot on the Christmas table, and this year was no different,” Kleiss says. “We’re excited to see ham taking the win and being a part of so many festive celebrations.”
“If you’re one of the many Kiwis looking to buy a ham this Christmas, search the 100% NZ Bacon & Ham Awards as a good place to start,” he adds.
“Foodies and butchers crowned New Zealand’s top ham in June, along with 18 other medal-winner representing both national suppliers and independent retailers. This list represents the best of the best of 100% New Zealand ham.”
The annual survey, now in its seventh year, offers a glimpse into what makes a Kiwi Christmas.
This year, approximately 1,200 respondents shared their festive plans, from favourite dishes to cherished traditions.
The survey was promoted via social media channels and electronic newsletters of Retail Meat New Zealand, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and NZPork. Entrants were incentivised to enter, with the opportunity to win one of five $200 meat vouchers.
New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) has launched a new initiative designed to make it easier for employers to support their young team members by covering their NZYF membership.
Sheep infant nutrition maker Blue River Dairy is hoping to use its success in China as a springboard into other markets in future.
Plentiful milk supplies from key producer countries are weighing down global dairy prices.
The recent windstorm that cut power to dairy farms across Southland for days has taught farmers one lesson – keep a generator handy on each farm.
The effects of the big windstorm of late October will be felt in lost production in coming weeks as repair crews work through the backlog of toppled irrigation pivots, says Culverden dairy farmer Fran Gunn.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.

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