Production

MEQ Solutions' probes, scans and cameras measure eating quality of meat and live animals.

Meat plants leapt into action to help contain the toll taken by Cyclone Gabrielle.

New Zealand Meat Workers and Related Trades Union says a definition of “skilled migrant worker” is needed.

The average percentage of cows not in calf, or empty, is around 17.6% – a 1.4% lift across the country.

Full operation vital to restoring farms says MIA.

Inventory has to be shifted to offsite cold stores before a full defrost and clean-up of cold-store rooms.

Plants close as Cyclone Gabrielle rattles supply chains.

Meat Industry Association and Federated Farmers say more meat workers must be allowed into New Zealand.

Sheepmeat processing down by a third as covid infections surge.

Addition of specialist Muslim meat processors to Green List welcomed

Successful trading period does not necessarily mean a repeat any time soon.

Agricultural productivity growth in steep decline around the world.

A mandatory code of conduct between supermarkets and suppliers along with establishing an industry regulator are among the…

A newbie farmer and her contract milker are slowly but surely turning an underperforming farm into a promising one.

The meat processing season could be up to 12 weeks longer than last year, prolonged by multiple and unexpected challenges.

The meat processing season could be prolonged by up to 12 weeks by covid infections, supply chain disruptions and the dry weather in the south.

High meat prices and lack of skilled labour have boosted demand for automation and robotics provider Scott Technology, the listed company based in Dunedin.

Moving animals off-farm and prioritising animal welfare is the focus for deer farmers, as venison processors struggle with capacity.

The New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB) is set to invest in a ground-breaking beef genetics programme over the next 25 years.

AS FARMERS move on from one of the most difficult harvest seasons, New Zealand must address its future food security, NZ grain and seed trade association (NZGSTA) general manager Thomas Chin says.

Australian beef production is forecast to be a record A$16.3 billion in 2022-23, as high rainfall across much of the eastern states has led to greater pasture availability and widespread restocking.

The inaugural commercial harvest of Zespri’s new RubyRed variety signals the start of what may prove to be a record-setting crop for the year.

Arable farmers are fearing the worst harvest ever, as they desperately look for the sun to shine on their crops.

New Zealand seed exports are booming, with growers experiencing some of the best prices ever, but current harvest conditions are dampening any celebration.

Farmers already facing up to six weeks delay getting stock killed are being warned to prepare for a longer than usual season as the meat industry continues to struggle with staffing shortages.

An AgResearch team is using methylomes for aging that may help with identifying animals’ productive rates. The scientists have developed a livestock clock that can accurately predict an animal’s age within the four key livestock species.

A spell of ideal harvesting weather has been welcomed but Canterbury cropping farmers are counting the cost of the extended wet period in December that is denting crop yields.

Chatham Rock Phosphate says it will progress a prefeasibility study for the production of dicalcium phosphate (DCP), from its Korella phosphate projects in Queensland.

Farmers are being advised to consider alternative cropping options as prospects for an easing of agri-chem shortages dim, thanks to Chinese energy restrictions and the global shipping crisis rolling into the new year.

Variable weather and challenging growing conditions has led to Fonterra revising its milk collection forecast from 1525 million kg milksolids to 1500m kg MS for the 2021-22 season.

A record lamb crop this spring has provided a small counter for a continued decline in ewe numbers.

A poor summer and continuous overstocking of beehives in some areas have contributed to a slide in honey production for the 2020-21 season, while honey exports leapt sharply from previous years.

Farmers are waiting up to three weeks for space to get stock killed as meat companies juggle throughput, labour shortages and access to shipping containers.

New Zealand dairy farmers have set a new record for milk production, producing 1.95 billion kilograms of milksolids (MS) for the 2020-21 season.

The country’s largest meat processors have plans to share processing capacity should a plant be forced to close because of covid.

Tropical Dairy Group (TDG) has successfully bred a cow that can handle the heat and may also help New Zealand lower its agriculture emissions.