World Butchers' Challenge captains go head-to-head before competition
Ahead of the World Butchers' Challenge, the captains of 14 nations’ teams squared off in Paris over the weekend.
Independent meat company Affco’s chief executive Hamish Simpson has become the latest high profile departure from the industry.
He follows former Silver Fern Farms chief executive Keith Cooper and former Alliance head Grant Cuff, who stepped down late last year.
Simpson left last month after eight years at the helm of Affco, owned by South Island-based Talleys Group.
Simpson told Affco suppliers it was time for a change; he wants to explore other opportunities.
“I have enjoyed my time with AFFCO and leave with the company in good heart. We are profitable, financially sound, have modern well placed plants and, most importantly, a strong team to carry the business forward.”
At Alliance, new chief executive David Surveyor starts this month after a season as executive general manager of Laminex, a subsidiary of Fletcher Building.
He says he is excited about his new job. “Alliance Group has blazed a trail for New Zealand exporters for many years, not just in traditional markets, but also China and more recently Brazil and India.
“It is a privilege to be leading the business into its next phase. I aim to build on what has already been achieved to further improve the Alliance Group’s performance and returns to the company’s shareholder suppliers.”
At the country’s biggest meat company, Silver Fern Farms, Dean Hamilton is moving into the chief executive role, replacing Cooper, who has resigned after eight years in the top job and a total of 24 years at the cooperative.
Hamilton joined SFF as chief strategy officer in April 2014.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…
OPINION: What are the unions for these days?