World Butchers' Challenge captains go head-to-head before competition
Ahead of the World Butchers' Challenge, the captains of 14 nations’ teams squared off in Paris over the weekend.
Young butchers across the country have begun sharpening their knives in anticipation of the 2012 Alto Young Butcher and Retail Meat Industry Training Organisation (RMITO) Butcher Apprentice of the year competition.
Current RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year, Abigail Smith, has her sights set on the Young Butcher title after her success in the apprentice category last year.
"Last year's win set the standard for me and only makes me eager to push myself to the limit this year and take home the big title," says Abigail.
Entries are now open to the competition, which kicks off with a series of regional heats across New Zealand over the month of July.
The winners of each regional will go on to compete in the Grand Final, to be held on August 24 at the Viaduct Event Centre in Auckland.
During the Grand Final, the young butchers will be put through a practical exam, interview, cutting test and mystery on-stage element to determine who will walk away with the prestigious title and the prize of a study tour to Europe.
The RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year will win a study tour to Australia.
The competition is proudly supported by Alto, RMITO, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc., Dunninghams, Hellers, Kerry Ingredients, NZ Pork, Wilson Hellaby, Cabernet Foods, Natural Farm and Tegel Foods.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.