Top ag scientist to advise PM
A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.
A warning to the red meat sector that competition in many of its key markets is heating up.
This comes from the Director General of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Ray Smith in a keynote address to the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington last week.
He says relying on 'brand New Zealand' won't be enough to ward off the many meat producing countries that are exporting to markets in which NZ has had something of a privileged position for years.
Smith says, for example, Australia has increased the volume of sheepmeat it exports while South America has increased its beef exports.
His warning to the sector was one of the key themes at the conference. Other speakers had similar messages and said NZ needs to lift its game in dealing with competitors and securing access to developing markets. Issues such as FTAs and having quality international relationships in key forums to state NZ's case were also advocated.
Smith says NZ has to make sure that high value consumers understand the full range of attributes out grass-fed products offer and that they are better in every respect to grain-fed animal products.
"We must work hard to see that this proposition resonates with high-paying customers. Remember that NZ is targeting customers with a product that is higher in value and we are looking for those higher value customers to find their way towards our product. There is quite a bit of work to do in market but there is quite a bit of opportunity there for the taking," he says.
Ray Smith says MPI is reorganising its own capability in market access and trade to put greater focus on ensuring NZ companies maximise value from existing FTAs.
Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.
The DairyNZ Farmers Forum is back with three events - in Waikato, Canterbury and Southland.
To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.
Among this year’s Primary Industry NZ (PINZ) Awards finalists are a Southlander who created edible bale netting and rural New Zealanders who advocate for pragmatic regulation and support stressed out farmers.
Rockit Global has appointed Ivan Angland as its new chief operating officer as it continues its growth strategy into 2025.
Nominations are now open for the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board.
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