Red meat exports slump, thanks to China
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
TARATAHI AGRICULTURAL Training Centre has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Rural Technology Development Centre (CRTD).
The memorandum focuses on cooperation in agricultural policy research, technology training and livestock breeding.
It encourages cooperation and communication of the governments, universities and corporations of both countries, to improve global agricultural sustainable development.
The MOU will formalize the existing working relationship with Taratahi in aspects of agriculture in general, including modernising agriculture methods and farming systems, animal husbandry, seed/ grass and pasture management practices, livestock breeding, and agricultural machinery.
Taratahi chief executive, Dr Donovan Wearing says Taratahi is well positioned to assist China with its agricultural reforms.
"China currently has 900 million people working in the rural sector and the Chinese Government has recently announced major reforms in the vocational training sector. They see both New Zealand's education and agriculture system as world class and are looking to New Zealand to help support them with their reforms."
About 84% of China milk is still produced from farming which is a feed procurement model rather than growing it 'on- farm'. The Chinese Government's 'urbanisation' programme aims to encourage 100 million farmers to move to the city. This means farms will be getting bigger and more skills will be required in order to effectively manage these larger businesses.
Six hundred universities are to be transformed into applied institutions under ambitious vocational education reform plans. The National Bureau of Statistics has estimated that fewer than a third of China's 269 million migrant workers have received training in the workplace. (Source ENZ, China Report, July 2014)
Taratahi has trained Kiwis for agricultural careers since 1919. Taratahi's own assets or assets they manage on behalf of others, now equate to over $100m. Taratahi has 50,000 stock units of sheep, beef and deer and milk 3250 cows per year.
'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.
A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says access to personal banking services in rural communities is fundamental to promoting outcomes that benefit Kiwi consumers.
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods says despite a challenging business environment, it has posted a net profit before tax of $61 million for 2023.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.