Ham wins race for Kiwi Christmas favourite
Ham has edged out lamb to become Kiwis’ top choice for their Christmas tables this year.
Owen Symmans has been appointed the new chief executive officer of New Zealand Pork Industry Board (NZPork). He replaces Sam McIvor.
Symmans joins NZPork from the Seafood Industry Training Organisation, where he repositioned the business to meet the industry's training needs, says NZPork chairman Ian Cater.
"As former chief executive officer to the NZ Seafood Industry Council Ltd, Owen boosted the public profile of the seafood industry and successfully managed a number of challenging policy issues," says Carter.
"NZPork is thrilled to bring Owen's skills and experience to the pork industry, along with his excellent working knowledge of primary production and the food, science, local government and training sectors."
Carter also paid tribute to Sam McIvor, saying "Sam has guided the pork industry through difficult times, including the adoption of world-leading animal welfare standards and the ongoing campaign to keep our animals safe from Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)."
"Modern pig farming requires high levels of technical and practical farming skills, along with the dedication and understanding to compete in a highly aggressive local market. Owen's strategic leadership skills and his wide experience in the food-producing primary sector will place NZPork in a strong position as we seek to continue to meet industry and government objectives for our sector," Carter says.
Symmans takes up his new position on 23 April.
New Zealand milk production is off to a strong start, with the first month of the 2025/26 dairy season recording a whopping 17.8% jump in milk production, compared to the previous season.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Keep up with innovation and e-commerce in China or risk losing market share. That was the message delivered at the China Business Summit in Auckland this month.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy says getting meat processors involved has been a shot in the arm for the sector's key marketing initiative into China, Taste Pure Nature.
Listed carpet manufacturer, Bremworth is undertaking a $6 million expansion at its Napier plant more than two years after the site was heavily damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Federated Farmers is vowing to keep the big banks accountable for their actions and to continue pushing for meaningful change in the rural lending sector.
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