Red meat sector battles on
It's a bloody tough year for sheep farmers, but the worst may be over, and the future looks optimistic.
Meat companies have now put in place a set of protocols that will allow stock to be killed and processed during the COVID-19 lockdown.
These also meet the guidelines laid down by the Government in respect of the safety of workers at meat processing plants.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie told Rural News that his organisation and MPI – along with others – have been working on developing the guidelines for several days.
Ritchie says the unions have been kept in the loop and meat companies have worked collaboratively to develop these new protocols.
However, he warns farmers that processing stock will take much longer – given the need to meet the new requirements around space between workers and so on.
Ritchie says this may affect sheep chains more because of distancing requirements. He says it could delay the process by up to 30% or more in some cases.
Delays will likely vary between plants. He says the meat companies have also agreed that if there are any problems at a certain plants, others will take up the slack.
Ritchie says staff at meat plants have also been briefed about how to deal with the situation and given advice on how to stay safe during the present crisis.
Ham has edged out lamb to become Kiwis’ top choice for their Christmas tables this year.
Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) has announced real estate company Bayleys will be the naming partner for its 2025 conference.
As New Zealand enters the summer months, rural insurer FMG is reminding farmers and growers to take extra care with a new campaign.
Hato Hone St John is urging Kiwis to have a safe summer this year.
Hawke’s Bay’s Silt Recovery Taskforce has received the Collaboration Excellence Award at the Association of Local Government Information Management (ALGIM) Awards.
Construction is underway at Fonterra’s new UHT cream plant at Edendale, Southland following a groundbreaking ceremony recently.
OPINION: Before we all let The Green Party have at it with their 'bold' emissions reduction plan, the Hound thought…
OPINION: The Feds' latest banking survey shows that bankers are even less popular with farmers than they used to be,…