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Rabobank animal proteins analyst Jen Corkran.
Farmgate beef prices remain at record levels and show no sign of easing.
By February, the North Island bull indicator had reached $9.65/kg CWT, an all-time high, and premiums on top, meaning some producers may be getting closer to $10/kg.
Rabobank animal proteins analyst Jen Corkran noted that farmgate beef pricing had held at record levels across the first two months of 2026, supported by strong offshore demand.
She says December 2025 saw the average export value for New Zealand beef reach $12.42/kg, another record, reflecting both a supportive currency at the time, and broad global demand."
ANZ agri economist Matt Dilly says beef prices continue to rise both at the farmgate and in-market.
With strong demand overseas and great pasture conditions, prices should easily hold through the end of 2025/26 and likely longer, says Dilly.
Corkran agrees that the NZ summer has so far delivered very favourable grass-growing conditions across the country.
"This has enabled farmers to hold stock longer and add additional weight. While positive for productivity, this does contribute to localised procurement challenges at times, even as export demand holds firm," she says.
Corkran says New Zealand beef export volumes are expected to increase by 3-4% in 2026, in line with higher production.
37 farmers from across the Rangitīkei and Manawatū regions recently spent a day-and-a-half learning new business management and planning skills at Rabobank’s latest AgPathways Programmes in Whanganui.
Carey Pawson-Edwards, a South Canterbury stock manager, has been named the winner of the 2026 Rabobank Management Project Award.
Despite near universal optimism in the rural sector, a panel of New Zealand’s leading food and agri minds caution that the sector must be intentional about its future path.
Rabobank has celebrated the tenth anniversary of its AgPathways Programme, with 23 farmers from Otago and Southland gathering for two-and-a-half days to learn new business management and planning skills.
Rabobank launched its Good Deeds Competition back in 2017 with the aim of supporting and celebrating the incredible efforts of rural communities in enhancing their local areas.
Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.
For over 50 years Mel Ewers has been supporting the apple sector navigate through compliance and quality assurance issues.
The apple sector is enjoying a bumper harvest season.
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