Red meat rebound
The red meat sector is poised for a strong rebound this season, with export receipts forecast to top $10 billion and farm profitability to almost double.
Sport stars Lisa Carrington, Sophie Pascoe and Sarah Walker are set to judge the ninth annual 2015 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Golden Lamb Awards, aka the Glammies.
The competition, supported by Zoetis, aims to find the most tender and tasty lamb in New Zealand, with categories for both farmers and retailers.
With the sporting superstars on the panel, alongside foodwriter, Lauraine Jacobs and head judge Graham Hawkes, entries will have to be of superior quality to impress this year.
Third time judge, Sarah Walker says she is thrilled to be involved in the competition once again.
"It is always an honour to assist with judging the Glammies and see the hard work and dedication New Zealand farmers put in year after year," says Walker.
Lisa Carrington and Sophie Pascoe agree the Glammies is a fantastic way to highlight the connection from paddock to plate, with lamb being a longstanding favourite in Kiwi kitchens as well as their own.
Entries will now go to Carne Technologies where the top 20 finalists will be determined based on the scientific assessment of yield, tenderness, succulence and colour of each entry lamb leg.
These final 20 will be judged at the Grand Final held at the Wanaka A&P Show on March 13.
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.