Move over ham, here comes lamb
It’s official, lamb will take centre stage on Kiwi Christmas tables this year.
A new programme that will look at how more value can be generated from beef carcases has been approved for Government funding.
Ministry for Primary Industries Director-General Wayne McNee has announced approved co-funding from the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) for the new Foodplus programme.
The PGP Fund is committing $43.5 million over seven years for the programme, which is worth $87 million in total and is being run by ANZCO Foods.
Foodplus will identify opportunities to create new products, with a particular focus on parts of the beef carcase that currently generate less value. ANZCO has identified three markets for innovative new products: food, ingredients and healthcare.
"Adding further value to the carcase is essential for the future success of the meat industry," McNee says. "ANZCO's vision for Foodplus is relevant and bold, and now backed by a significant investment."
Rennie Davidson, CEO of ANZCO's Food & Solutions division says ANZCO welcomed the opportunity to partner with the Crown on the Foodplus programme. "It is a large-scale project that wouldn't be achievable without collaboration. We're excited about the potential that this will bring to the sector," he says.
Irrigation NZ is warning that the government's Resource Management Act (RMA) reform risks falling short of its objectives unless water use for food production and water storage infrastructure are clearly recognised in the goals at the top of the new system.
More than five million trays, or 18,000 tonnes, of Zespri’s RubyRed Kiwifruit will soon be available for consumers across 16 markets this season.
The Government has announced its support for 18 community-based initiatives through its Rural Wellbeing Fund.
New data shows that pork remains one of the more affordable meat options for New Zealand households at a time when grocery costs continue to put pressure on budgets.
The South Island Dairy Event's BrightSIDE has named Jessica Kilday as the recipient of the BrightSIDE Scholarship, recognising her commitment to furthering her education and future career in the New Zealand dairy industry.
Scientists from the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao has achieved a successful cocksfoot-ryegrass cross capable of producing fertile seed, a world-first.

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