New Zealand’s meat sector is launching a charitable trust to benefit those affected by the mosque attacks in Christchurch.

Alliance Group has rewarded shareholders with a $3.2 million loyalty payment distribution.

The unusually wet summer so far means a flush of feed NZ-wide, says Alliance Group chairman Murray Taggart.

Extreme dry conditions and the resulting erratic stock flows over the past year underline the value of a cooperative, Alliance farmer shareholders heard at their annual meeting this month.

Meat processor Alliance says its operating profit dropped 60% because of higher payment to farmer shareholders.

Meat co-op Alliance Group has distributed $1.73 million to shareholders in loyalty payments.

Premium lamb brand Te Mana Lamb took out the New Zealand Food Safety Primary Sector Products and Frozen categories at the New Zealand Food Awards.

Alliance Group has warned that its annual result, due to be reported in November, will show a drop in profit.

Ag Minister Damien O’Connor told the International Conference on Agricultural GHG Emissions and Food Security, held in Berlin last week, that NZ is spending large on R&D to identify options to reduce agricultural emissions.

Alliance Group is marking the next stage in its transition into a food and solutions company with the launch of a new corporate identity.