NZ Red Meat Sector Watches US Tariff Decision as Sheepmeat Exports Boom
New Zealand red meat exports are booming but a pending decision in the White House, Washington D.C., could dent sheepmeat earnings.
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact that, now more than ever, US farmers are being propped up by government welfare – a direct result of Trump’s hardline on its trading partners.
Particularly China. For decades, Chinese demand underpinned the US Midwest economy, taking roughly a third of US grain production.
Then came the Trump trade wars.
The response by the US government will be to release billions of dollars in aid for the losses created by its own policies. China has pivoted fast, locking in long-term supply deals with Brazil and expanding its crushing and logistics capacity.
The result is a trade shift that will possibly be permanent.
American farmers voted overwhelmingly for Trump and its cold comfort to the Hound that they are now finding it’s hitting their bottom.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.
For over 50 years Mel Ewers has been supporting the apple sector navigate through compliance and quality assurance issues.
The apple sector is enjoying a bumper harvest season.
Growers and farmers are being encouraged to have an important conversation before the coming season starts: how to prolong the effectiveness of the crop protection tools they rely on.

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