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 ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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