Young Farmers Step Closer to Ownership Through Pāmu Livestock Model
State farmer Pāmu says a programme it's running to help skilled operators into farm ownership is paying dividends.
Pamu’s Deer Milk has won the Best Dairy Ingredient category at the World Dairy Innovation Awards, announced in Laval, France overnight.
Pāmu Chief Executive Mark Leslie says the win is a validation of the hard work and innovation that has gone into creating an all-new product for the agri-sector.
“All New Zealanders, as shareholders in Pāmu should be really proud of this win, at what is essentially the World Cup for the dairy sector,” he says.
“Our deer milk product has been steadily growing in popularity among high end chefs and as a unique new ingredient in cosmetics. But that’s not where it ends.
“This win recognises the extensive application and unique properties of deer milk, and the growing recognition of deer milk as a specialty dairy product”.
Pāmu Deer Milk is sourced through a partnership with Peter and Sharon McIntyre, who run a deer farm near Gore and now through the company’s own farm Aratiatia, in the North Island’s central plateau.
“While Covid has meant more challenging market conditions to promote deer milk in the short term, the reopening of the world means Pāmu Deer Milk can once again make its way back on the world stage, and this win is an incredible boost to that,” Leslie says.
He says Pamu is excited about the potential for the product and the opening of a new deer milking facility near Taupo, to complement the existing supply from the McIntyres is a testament to that.
“We have also developed a world first deer milk nutritional supplement range called Doe Nutrition containing Pāmu Deer Milk which offers a range of nutritional benefits, which we are currently preparing to sell in Vietnam and China.”
The Doe Nutrition innovation received a highly commended rating at last night’s awards, making it a doubly successful occasion for the company.
Leslie says the growing recognition of Pāmu Deer Milk’s unique properties, especially when it comes to nutrition and digestion, signals it has the potential to be a contributor to our primary sector.
“This award is a hugely important milestone and validation that we are onto something very exciting.”
Healthy snacking company Rockit has announced Wang Yibo, one of China's most influential celebrities, as its new brand ambassador.
Rabobank has celebrated the tenth anniversary of its AgPathways Programme, with 23 farmers from Otago and Southland gathering for two-and-a-half days to learn new business management and planning skills.
Adopting strategies to reduce worm burden on farm goes hand-in--hand with best practice farm management practices to optimise stock production and performance, veterinarian Andrew Roe says.
Last night saw the winners of the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Awards named at a gala dinner at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.
A 12-month pathway programme has helped kickstart a career in dairy for an 18-year-old student-turned-farmer.
Zespri says its global fruit sales revenue has reached a record NZ$5.9 billion from sales of 248.1 million trays.

OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.
OPINION: This old mutt went to school to eat his lunch, but still knows the future of the country, and…