increase font size
Variable weather conditions are being blamed for a slow start to the meat processing season.
Variable weather conditions across the country are being blamed for the slow start to the meat processing season.
Chief supply officer for Silver Fern Farms (SFF), Jarrod Stewart, says some drier parts of the country saw some much-needed rain, and further south it's been a relatively colder summer. All of which he says has translated to some farmers holding back animals to put on weight.
But he says in other parts of the country SFF are seeing good livestock flows, and for everywhere else we expect flows to start picking up as we get further through the year.
"Farmers will need to reach out to their livestock representative to plan bookings and help avoid any bottlenecks," he says.
Stewart says in terms of the markets, SFF continues to see good positivity out of the United States for beef pricing. But he adds they also have their eye on the new administration under President Trump to see if there are going to be any potential policy changes that might impact exports.
"The Chinese New Year period is now underway and this will be an important time for assessing how sentiment among Chinese consumers is tracking," he says.
Stewart says, overall, this year they're seeing a more positive perspective in terms of pricing in key markets, but that there's still some procurement tension underpinning the schedule.
He says, in the meantime, they'll continue the delicate balance of matching supply to operating capacity.
As dairy farmers lock in plans for the upcoming mating season, a partnership between Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms has been formed with the aim of making it simpler to create additional value from calves not entering the replacement herd.
Applications for Silver Fern Farms Co-operative's next board-appointed farmer director are open.
Silver Fern Farms has tackled the ongoing war-induced shipping challenges to mideast markets by airlifting 90 tonnes of chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates.
Silver Fern Farms has successfully produced and delivered 90 tonnes of premium chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates via airfreight.
Silver Fern Farms has announced a major capital investment valued at over $100 million to redevelop freezing, cold storage, and automation facilities at its Finegand Site near Balclutha.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.
