Science and technology take centre stage at 2025 National Fieldays
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
A Ministry of Primary Industries operation in Auckland has led to the prosecution of several meats sellers after raw meat samples were found to contain non-compliant substances.
The charges were laid after a 2013 MPI operation, which found raw meat containing sulphites/sulphur dioxide at several business in the greater Auckland areas.
In total, 15 meat wholesalers/retailers and three company directors were charged and appeared before the Manukau and Auckland District Courts in late 2014 and early 2015.
According to Beef + Lamb none of those prosecuted are part of any major supermarket or high profile butchery chains.
In addition to fines, Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive officer, Rod Slater says there are serious implications for those found to be non-compliant.
“Make no mistake; there is no room for this type of operator in New Zealand. We take these offences extremely seriously and support MPI’s actions.
“In the main, we find New Zealand retailers and wholesalers are extremely proud of the standards which they are upholding. This behaviour is definitely not the norm and I think you’ll find the rest of the industry will be left extremely disappointed,” says Slater.
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
Coby Warmington, 29, a farm manager at Waima Topu Beef near Hokianga was named at the winner of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award for sheep and beef.
Northlanders scooped the pool at this year's prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards - winning both the main competition and the young Maori farmer award.
Red meat farmers are urging the Government to act on the growing number of whole sheep and beef farm sales for conversion to forestry, particularly carbon farming.
The days of rising on-farm inflation and subdued farmgate prices are coming to an end for farmers, helping lift confidence.
A blockbuster year and an exciting performance: that's how Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith is describing the massive upsurge in the fortunes of the primary sector exports for the year ended June 2025.