Archive for May, 2009

Scientists hit out at slashing of ag research fund

The Union representing many of the country’s top agriculture scientists says slashing science funding is short-sighted and will make it harder for NZ to recover from the economic slump. The attack comes as National is set to dump Labour’s $700m Fast Forward fund over 10 to 15 years for agriculture and food research in favour […]

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New US farm subsidies under attack

The Govt is under pressure to take the strongest possible measures against a decision by the US Govt to reintroduce export subsidies on dairy products. The move has drawn widespread condemnation. Dairy Companies Association of NZ chairman, Malcolm Bailey, says he is frustrated with the move, as it would undermine confidence in the global dairy […]

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Pig farm scandal may stoke NZ sales of red meat

Farmers are expecting some pick up in domestic sales of beef and lamb in the wake of publicity over Colin Kay’s Levin pig farm. Meat and Wool NZ chairman, Mike Petersen, says “The message we’re conveying is that sheep and beef doesn’t operate like the pork industry.” Petersen says blowback from such negative publicity can […]

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Feds prepare 5-point strategy for ETS response

FedFarmers will shortly launch a five-point response to the threat posed by climate change, starting with the removal of agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme. It hopes to capitalise on Aust’s decision to put its primary sector on the slow track for inclusion by 2015 in a scheme farmers fear will wreck the industry by […]

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Proposal looms for all-encompassing red meat strategy

David Carter will announce plans to develop a red-meat industry strategy in the next few weeks. “Considerable work is being done by MAF. The industry needs to sit down and work out where it wants to be in 10-20 years time.” The proposal will bring together leaders of the meat processing companies and farmers - […]

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Lamb returns up almost a third in six months

Export figures show NZ lamb and beef prices continuing to strengthen in spite of the difficult global economy. Export lamb returns for the first six months of the export year (October 2008 to March 2009) were up 27% to $8,670 per tonne,compared with the same six month period in the previous year.
Export beef […]

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Feds prepare 5-point strategy for ets response

FedFarmers will shortly launch a five-point response to the threat posed by climate change, starting with the removal of agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme. It hopes to capitalise on Aust’s decision to put its primary sector on the slow track for inclusion by 2015 in a scheme farmers fear will wreck the industry by […]

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Proposal looms for all-encompassing red meat strategy

David Carter will announce plans to develop a red-meat industry strategy in the next few weeks. “Considerable work is being done by MAF. The industry needs to sit down and work out where it wants to be in 10-20 years time.” The proposal will bring together leaders of the meat processing companies and farmers - […]

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Lamb prices sky rocket as supply shrinks

Those farmers who have stuck with sheep are reaping some consolation from the strangulated lamb supply born in spring 2008 as prices rocket up accordingly. Rabobank’s latest Agri-business review indicates lamb volumes processed are now 1.2m behind the same period last year or 9% , with the bulk of the drop coming from the South […]

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Fonterra reviews milk ownership in Aust, sells ice cream

Fonterra has embarked on a review of its regional liquid milk assets in Aust as it focuses on national sales of cheeses, spreads, yoghurts and dairy desserts. The co-operative has reassured dairy farmers in Western Aust - where it collects 130m litres of milk a year - supply arrangements won’t be affected. Western Aust […]

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