The latest Dairy Australia National Dairy Farmer Survey (NDFS) shows farmers in many regions investing, or planning to invest, in their businesses, because of robust business confidence. 

A meat industry stalwart says the rejection of a joint marketing model between processors and farmers is a missed opportunity.

Consolidating all the processors and the resultant gain of $10/lamb gain at the farmgate, as estimated by Meat Industry Excellence, is still not a “game changer” for sheep farmers, says Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dean Hamilton.

Is there a “seismic” shift in food choices and a demand for healthy, chemical free choices with transparency about where the food is sourced?

To call it a perfect storm trivialises the difficulties primary producers are facing in the balance between environment, welfare (human and animal) and economics. 

Silver Fern Farms isn’t responding to analysis which suggests its sheepmeat processing costs are the highest by some distance and that it is “one of the laggards” in beef too.

There is a dispute between the Alliance Group and MIE about possible industry rationalisation and numbers used to make recommendations.

The Australian Government has approved the sale of the country’s largest ham and bacon producer to Brazilian meat giant JBS, despite farmer concerns.

The Meat Industry Excellence Group’s (MIE) much-vaunted and so far highly secretive report into meat sector reforms is due to be released later this month.

Change in ownership at Anzco Meats is a vote of confidence in the meat industry, claims company chairman Sir Graeme Harrison.