Higher Red Meat Returns Boost Farm Resilience in NZ
Red meat farmers are using higher farmgate returns to make their farms more resilient, says Federated Farmers meat and wool industry group chair Richard Dawkins.
Meat prices are undergoing their seasonal lifts, according to a report from ASB released last week.
The report claims that after reaching a $5/kg mark, the bank’s weighted average beef price has started turning upward.
Meanwhile, lamb prices are already turning around, hitting $8.78/kg after hitting a low point that was still above most of the previous season’s high points.
Currently, global protein supply remains tight with few signs of this turning around, the report claims.
The report says ASB’s economists are staying optimistic when it comes to red meat demand.
“While global economic growth is set to slow, protein demand will remain relatively inelastic, and the ongoing reopening of food service channels should support the prices,” it reads.
The report states lamb prices are expected to outperform, with the stage set for a seasonal price peak in the $10.00-$10.50 range.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.

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