Red Meat Sector Conference date unveiled
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) have announced the dates for the 2025 Red Meat Sector Conference.
More than 130 of Australasia's leading agribusiness professionals are gathering in Wellington today for the annual Platinum Primary Producers (PPP) Conference.
Challenged with discussing the 'winds of change' currently sweeping across the farming landscapes of New Zealand and Australasia, delegates will hear from keynote speakers including Steven Carden, CEO of Landcorp Farming Ltd, Paul Morgan, chairman of Wakatu Incorporation, Prof. Jacqueline Rowarth from the University of Waikato, James Parsons, chairman of Beef + Lamb NZ, Doug Avery, Marlborough farmer, and Scottie Chapman, CEO of Spring Sheep Dairy Ltd.
The PPP Conference also marks the announcement of the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Zanda McDonald Award. In the running for the $30,000 prize package is: Wesley Lefroy, a 24 year old soil scientist from Western Australia, Dean Rabbidge, a 30 year old dairy, beef and sheep farmer from Wyndham, Southland and Erica van Reenen, a 31 year old environmental and agricultural consultant from Feilding.
Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries will present the award on Wednesday, March 23 at about 9pm.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is expected to bring increased downside risks.
In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group has dumped its chair Toby Williams.
Former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has received the Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award.
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.