US, EU and UK drive NZ red meat export boom to $827m
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.
Applications have now opened for the 2026 Meat Industry Association scholarships.
Students considering a future in the red meat sector have until 26 November, 2025 to submit applications for the scholarships which are valued at $5,000 for undergraduates and $10,000 for post graduate students.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the scholarship programme covers a wide range of topics.
“Scholars selected for the 2025 scholarships are pursuing subjects including commerce, nutrition and food science, environmental science, law, agribusiness, food marketing and mechanical engineering, with a post graduate scholar undertaking research into foodborne pathogens," Karapeeva says.
She says the red meat sector has a wide range of career pathways, meaning many subjects fit the criteria.
Karapeeva says the MIA is looking for highly motivated people focused on subjects that will support future careers in the industry.
“To grow the sector, which is so important to the New Zealand economy, we need to be recruiting a pipeline of highly-skilled people and future leaders and the scholarship programme provides an important pathway for talented young people into the industry.”
Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident studying at a tertiary institution in a discipline relevant to the meat processing industry and planning a career in the red meat sector, beyond the farm gate.
To complete the application form, visit www.mia.co.nz/mia-scholarships-current/
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.
Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.
The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.

OPINION: Your old mate welcomes the proposed changes to local government but notes it drew responses that ranged from the reasonable…
OPINION: A press release from the oxygen thieves running the hot air symposium on climate change, known as COP30, grabbed your…