TWO YEARS ago the Te Aroha, Waikato, meat processing plant burned down, a major tragedy for a small town in a productive farming area.

Weaker economic conditions, combined with dry seasonal conditions have impacted New Zealand farmer confidence, particularly in the sheep and beef sector.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand, is ramping up support for the Agrecovery rural recycling programme.

Total primary sector export revenue for the year to June 2013 is forecast to be around $27.5 billion, down 5% on the previous year's income ($29.2 billion), says the Ministry for Primary Industries.

CONVERTING A corner of a large-scale Southland sheep and beef unit to dairy has made the whole business more sustainable, say Andrew and Heather Tripp.

LACK OF understanding of what it costs farms and processors to produce food is “one of our biggest challenges,” says Grassland Association president Jacqueline Rowarth.

Despite lower farm sales in the three months to the end of October compared to last year, the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) expects a lift this month.

Despite lower farm sales in the three months to the end of October compared to last year, the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) expects a lift this month.

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said recent operating losses for some South Island sheep meat processors made the industry's red meat sector strategy more relevant.

Demand from Korea for imported beef has been lacklustre this year, largely due to slowing consumer beef demand from a weak economy and increasing supplies of domestic beef.