40,000 meals donated as NZFN marks fifth anniversary
The New Zealand Food Network's (NZFN) fifth birthday celebrations have been boosted by a whopping five tonne meat donation from meat processor ANZCO.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods made an annual pre-tax profit of $17m last year, a 21% lift on the previous year.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods made an annual pre-tax profit of $17m last year, a 21% lift on the previous year.
The total revenue in 2016 ($1.45 billion) was slightly lower than 2015 ($1.54b) mainly as a result of foreign currency exchange rate movements.
The solid business performance was pleasing, especially given the ongoing challenges of the wider red meat industry, says managing director Mark Clarkson.
As well as its beef and lamb processing business, ANZCO has a number of innovative value-add operations and Clarkson said it was pleasing that the positive performance had occurred across both parts of the business.
In addition, a focus on working closely with majority shareholder Itoham contributed to ANZCO’s solid performance.
“Growth in the Japanese market, including grain-fed beef and manufactured food products were key areas of gain,” says chairman Graeme Harrison.
The company’s commitment and focus on health & safety delivered a substantial reduction in injury rates in the 2016 year. The company will continue to focus on this important area in 2017.
“ANZCO invested more than $23m during the year enhancing processing capability at the Rangitikei and Canterbury sites to meet customer requirements, along with a growing commitment to value-add business activities, including a significant increase in Angel Bay manufacturing capacity at ANZCO Green Island,” says Harrison.
“In addition, the company purchased the remaining 50% of its Melbourne-based blood protein and serum business, Bovogen that had been a joint venture since 2013.”
ANZCO will continue its substantial investment in enhancing capabilities in 2017.
A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato for a period of seven days as the region prepares for Cyclone Vaianu to hit the area.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.
Reports of severe weather forecast to move over the vast majority of New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards this weekend will be very concerning for a significant number of growers.

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