Alliance completes $16m warehouse tech update
Alliance Group has launched a new $16 million warehouse technology system at its Lorneville plant near Invercargill.
Ahead of the World Butchers' Challenge, the captains of 14 nations’ teams squared off in Paris over the weekend.
In one pre-game clash, Germany’s reigning champions went head-to-head with host nation France in an arm wrestle between German captain Dirk Freyberger and French captain Ip Yan Fat.
The friendly rivalry set the tone for what promises to be a high-stakes competition, with Germany claiming the first unofficial victory of the weekend.
Ashley Gray, chief executive of the World Butchers’ Challenge says anticipation is at an all-time high and the energy in Paris is “electric”.
“Some teams are hungry for their first victory, others are determined to defend their title, and new nations are ready to make their mark,” Gray says. “We can’t wait to see the competition unfold and wish all the competitors the best of luck.”
Today, Paris will play host to 14 national teams for the ninth World Butchers’ Challenge at Paris Arena Sud 6, part of the Paris Expo Exhibition Centre.
The three-hour challenge will see each team demonstrate their carving, boning and finishing skills – underpinned by creative and cultural flair.
The winning team will be awarded the Friedr. Dick Golden Knife Trophy at a Gala dinner on Tuesday, 1 April in Paris.
The 2025 World Butchers’ Challenge is sponsored by Friedr. Dick, Devro, Van Hessen, and Anago.
As New Zealand marks the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF 2026), industry leaders are challenging the misconception that women only support farming.
Fonterra’s impending exit from the Australian dairy industry is a major event but the story doesn’t change too much for farmers.
Expect greater collaboration between Massey University’s school of Agriculture and Environment and Ireland’s leading agriculture university, the University College of Dublin (UCD), in the future.
A partnership between Torere Macadamias Ltd and the Riddet Institute aims to unlock value from macadamia nuts while growing the next generation of Māori agribusiness researchers.
A new partnership between Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) and NZAgbiz aims to make evidence-based calf rearing practices accessible to all farm teams.
Despite some trying circumstances recently, the cherry season looks set to emerge on top of things.

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OPINION: ECan data was released a few days ago showing Canterbury farmers have made “giant strides on environmental performance”.