Rain puts damper on Xmas berry harvest
A big December wet spell threw a spanner in the works for Canterbury berry growers during the vital pre-Christmas trade.
Lamb has claimed victory as the preferred Christmas Day meat of choice, according to a new survey.
More than a third of respondents (34.29%) to the Retail Meat New Zealand annual Christmas survey opted for Lamb over ham (33.17%).
Beef was ranked in third place with 13.34% of the vote and chicken (7.97%) prevailed over turkey (7.75%).
Now in its sixth year, the annual survey captured responses from over 3,000 individuals.
The survey was promoted via the social media channels and electronic newsletters of Retail Meat New Zealand, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and NZPork. Entrants were incentivized to enter with the chance of winning one of five Blitzen Meat Boxes.
The Christmas feast extends beyond protein, with an assortment of side dishes.
With 91.03% and 55.82% of the vote respectively, potatoes and kumara took out the top spots. However, broccoli, carrots and salads also look to have earned their place on the Kiwi Christmas dinner table.
When it comes to dessert, pavlova stole the spotlight, loved by 70.13% of participants. Trifle, strawberries with ice cream, and fruit salad were also up there adding a sweet touch to the big day.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc marketing manager Katie Ward says the holiday season is a great time of the year for Kiwis to come together and celebrate with family and friends.
“At this festive time, food plays a pivotal role in our celebrations – often being the catalyst to bring us together,” Ward says. “A leg of lamb not only offers incredible taste and quality but it is also ideal for feeding larger groups.”
The survey also looked into the activities accompanying the feast, revealing a mix of traditions, including opening presents (77.47%), backyard games (47.08%), and watching movies (41.65%).
The controversial Christmas (fruit) cake debate has been solved — 82.5% of respondents either love it or think it’s OK, with the minority (17.08%) saying they hate it, less than one percent have never tried it. Christmas cake lives on.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.