World Butchers' Challenge captains go head-to-head before competition
Ahead of the World Butchers' Challenge, the captains of 14 nations’ teams squared off in Paris over the weekend.
IS GOAT MEAT nutritionally better or the poor cousin to lamb and beef?
That will be one of the questions addressed at the inaugural NZGoats Conference in Queenstown, on May 23-25.
The conference will hear from speakers on a range of topics including growing the goat meat and mohair industries, says Geoff Muggeridge, chairman of the Boer Goat New Zealand Breeders Association.
Federated Farmers says the conference will focus on adding sustainable value to the industry.
"Right now the goat industry has a lot to offer with goat meat leading global red meat consumption and Mohair becoming a popular niche fibre so this conference is at a pivotal time for the industry," said John Woodward, Federated Farmers Mohair New Zealand chairperson.
Chairperson of Federated Farmers NZGoats, Dawn Sangster, says the event is a collaboration between Mohair New Zealand, Meat Goat New Zealand and NZ Goats, under the Federated Farmers Goats industry umbrella, and the New Zealand Boer Goat Breeders Association.
"It is aimed at both experienced goat farmers and those interested in the potential of goat farming as a way to diversify their farm business".
Muggeridge says there will also be an opportunity to visit one of the country's most extensive high country Boer Goat farming operations in the Gibbston Valley, and an Angora goat farm in Roxborough.
Meat Goat New Zealand chairman, Doug Lineham says the goat industry has a bright and promising future, which we must navigate carefully, continued.
"This conference is an opportunity to have a say in how we go forward as an industry together and be a part of New Zealand's trade success," he says.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
Next month, wool training will reach one of New Zealand's most remote communities, the Chatham Islands - bringing hands-on skills and industry connection to locals eager to step into the wool harvesting sector.
Farmers' health and wellbeing will take centre stage with a new hub at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
Dannevirke farmer Dan Billing has been announced as the new national chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) Farmer Council.
A Mid Canterbury beef farm has unlocked a new market for its products thanks to its unusual beef breed, and an award-winning pie taking the district by storm.
The number of beef straws going into dairy cows is on the increase, according to LIC beef genetics product lead Paul Charteris.

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