MIA launches 2026 Red Meat Sector Dragon’s Den for innovative ideas
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) is once again looking for game-changing ideas for New Zealand's red meat processing and exporting sector.
Former Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy will take over as chair of the Meat Industry Association later this year.
Former Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has been appointed the new chair of the Meat Industry Association.
This follows the upcoming retirement of current chair John Loughlin from the role. Loughlin will finish his six-year term after the annual Red Meat Sector Conference in Christchurch on 31 July – 1 August 2022. Loughlin says it has been a privilege to serve as MIA chair for the last six years.
“This was a time of challenge and opportunity and it has been great to be part of the red meat sector working cohesively and contributing to the wider primary sector.”
Loughlin says Guy has a strong primary sector background and understands the challenges and opportunities that primary industries face.
“As a former Crown Minister, including as the Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan brings his experience, understanding, networking and relationship skills to the role,” he says.
Guy says he is looking forward to taking a lead in the sector and working with a range of stakeholders to keep driving the red meat industry forward.
The sale of Fonterra’s global consumer and related businesses is expected to be completed within two months.
Fonterra is boosting its butter production capacity to meet growing demand.
For the most part, dairy farmers in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti and the Manawatu appear to have not been too badly affected by recent storms across the upper North Island.
South Island dairy production is up on last year despite an unusually wet, dull and stormy summer, says DairyNZ lower South Island regional manager Jared Stockman.
Following a side-by-side rolling into a gully, Safer Farms has issued a new Safety Alert.
Coming in at a year-end total at 3088 units, a rise of around 10% over the 2806 total for 2024, the signs are that the New Zealand farm machinery industry is turning the corner after a difficult couple of years.

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