Alliance secures chilled beef boost in China
Alliance Group says it has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following the approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri got the go-ahead from New Zealand kiwifruit growers to increase their plantings of its fruit overseas.
The new arrangements will see up to 420 additional hectares of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit per year over six years planted in Italy, France, Japan, South Korea and Greece starting next year. Kiwifruit plantings are already licensed by Zespri in several countries because it allows NZ kiwifruit to be available year round and fill a gap when NZ fruit is not available
Regulations required Zespri to get at least 75% support from growers to increase its overseas plantings. A vote was taken and an overwhelming 90.6% of kiwifruit growers supported the move. The voter turnout was 72.21%.
In the past, growers had rejected such a proposal, but this time the kiwifruit growers organisation NZKGI openly backed the Zespri move, with chief executive Colin Bond saying it makes sense that NZ should fill any gap in the market. He says markets are becoming increasingly competitive and NZ cannot leave a gap for competitors.
“That is why we have supported this Zespri initiative,” he says.
Zespri chief executive Jason Te Brake says the result of this vote is crucial to working towards 12-month supply for key customers in key markets, filling more demand and supporting NZ grower returns into the future.
“The outlook for Zespri Kiwifruit is positive. I’ve spent a lot of time in the markets with our customers in 2024; they want more of our fruit, and they want it all year,” he says.
Reducing nitrogen inputs does not necessarily mean reducing profits, says DairyNZ principal scientist Ina Pinxterhuis.
Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick says farmers are prepared for winter grazing every year.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) is launching a new round of grants to support projects aimed at enhancing dairy farming sustainability via the a2 Farm Sustainability Fund.
DairyNZ is inviting applications for an associate director position.
Dairy's superpowers are lifting their game on proving greenhouse gas credentials.
Taupo-based low-carbon dairy company Miraka has its sights set on using 100% renewable energy in the next decade.
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