Why?
OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents a kilo between North and South Island producers – if you look at February 2024 steer prices.
New Zealand beef and dairy farmers can now take part in a programme to produce high-value marbled beef for premium markets, both domestically and offshore.
Ministry for Primary Industries Director-General Wayne McNee announced approved funding for the new programme through the government's Primary Growth Partnership (PGP). Hawke's Bay companies Brownrigg Agriculture and Firstlight Foods are running the programme.
The PGP is committing $11 million over seven years, for a programme worth $23.7 million in total.
"The programme aims to put New Zealand marbled beef 'centre of the plate' in much the same way as New Zealand lamb is in key international markets," McNee said in announcing the co-investment at the Red Meat Sector Conference in Queenstown.
"We want foodies to actively seek out New Zealand marbled beef because it consistently delivers on taste and tenderness and embodies consumer beliefs and lifestyles."
Marbling, the distribution of fat through meat, is the primary determinant of quality in table beef in international markets such as Japan, China and the United States.
Internationally, such high quality beef is produced mainly from cattle housed in pens and fed grain.
To produce a comparable meat fed off New Zealand grass, the new PGP programme will combine high-marbling cattle genetics with New Zealand's strengths in pastoral agriculture.
McNee says the programme aligns well with the Red Meat Sector Strategy.
"This programme will produce unique New Zealand high-value beef for discerning consumers. It will link specialists in dairy farming, cattle breeding, finishing, processing and marketing, and deliver market signals effectively right through the value chain," he says.
David Brownrigg, managing director of Brownrigg Agriculture, said it will be a significant opportunity for beef and dairy farmers to lift the quality and value of their calves and finished cattle.
"The New Zealand dairy sector represents an underutilised resource for producing quality beef calves. Brownrigg's Wagyu crossed with 'Kiwi' dairy cows and Angus beef cows will produce outstanding beef and help us lift our game in international markets," Brownrigg says.
Gerard Hickey, managing director of Firstlight Foods believes the opportunity will revitalise the beef industry.
"Instead of being price-takers on the day, a planned marketing programme to selected high-end global customers will enable beef farmers to build their businesses with confidence," Hickey said.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…