NZ “tongue-soft” red meat innovation wins 2026 MIA Dragon’s Den
A New Zealand red meat product range with “tongue-soft” texture for elderly or unwell people has won the 2026 Meat Industry Association (MIA) Dragon’s Den competition.
Former Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy will take over as chair of the Meat Industry Association later this year.
Former Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has been appointed the new chair of the Meat Industry Association.
This follows the upcoming retirement of current chair John Loughlin from the role. Loughlin will finish his six-year term after the annual Red Meat Sector Conference in Christchurch on 31 July – 1 August 2022. Loughlin says it has been a privilege to serve as MIA chair for the last six years.
“This was a time of challenge and opportunity and it has been great to be part of the red meat sector working cohesively and contributing to the wider primary sector.”
Loughlin says Guy has a strong primary sector background and understands the challenges and opportunities that primary industries face.
“As a former Crown Minister, including as the Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan brings his experience, understanding, networking and relationship skills to the role,” he says.
Guy says he is looking forward to taking a lead in the sector and working with a range of stakeholders to keep driving the red meat industry forward.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.
Reports of severe weather forecast to move over the vast majority of New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards this weekend will be very concerning for a significant number of growers.
Seeka chief executive Michael Franks says while it's still early days in terms of the kiwifruit harvest, things are looking pretty good.

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