Move over ham, here comes lamb
It’s official, lamb will take centre stage on Kiwi Christmas tables this year.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents a kilo between North and South Island producers – if you look at February 2024 steer prices.
As they told your old mate: “This equates to one in 12 steers going to the meat co-operative or company courtesy of the southern producers.”
They also suggest that the meat companies need to be far more transparent about why there is such a huge differential.
“Is it to help inefficient marketing and processing to compete with the northern companies,” they ask? “It has got to stop. We have heard all the old pathetic excuses over the years and remember they also make good money out of by-products, pharmaceuticals and hides etc – which are not disclosed."
These are all fair questions and the meat companies need to answer them pronto!
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…