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9 Down does not mean out Vol 21 No 2, January 23, 2023
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Beef must build on golden run Staff reporter
MARKETS
Beef
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EW Zealand’s beef producers are likely to continue a “golden run” of top farmgate prices until 2025 on the back of tight global beef supplies, according to a new Rabobank report. However, new ideas and strategic investment will be needed to address the upcoming challenges of greenhouse gas emissions and bobby calf processing requirements, the report warns. In the report, “Capitalising on tailwinds through to 2025”, Rabobank says the beef industry has performed exceptionally well over recent years. “The New Zealand beef industry has grown exports by 94,000t or 21% over the last five years and enjoyed a golden run of pricing during this period,” said report author Rabobank agricultural analyst Genevieve Steven. Growing demand from China has been the key factor, with its share of export beef almost doubling from 20% to about 40% in the past five years. Steven said the outlook for New Zealand beef exports over coming seasons remains strong, despite the prospect of increased competition. “Although beef production in Australia and Brazil is forecast to increase, we expect global beef production will remain tight
through to 2025 due to the re-build of the US beef cow herd,” she said. “We also expect consumption of ground beef in the US will grow as consumers trade down to lowervalue beef cuts, in response to economic tightening. And this will play into New Zealand’s favour as we’re a key supplier of lean trimmings into the US for ground beef production.” While the outlook remains positive, the beef industry needs to prepare for change. The Paris Agreement is driving global markets to reduce supply chain emissions – the majority of which occur at the farm level. “New Zealand farmers are experiencing these market signals via increased regulatory pressure. And afforestation plus emissions and freshwater regulations are also expected to drive a decrease in New Zealand beef production by 4% over the next three years.” On top of regulatory challenges, the report says, the sector will also have to find ways to manage the increased need for bobby calf processing. Fonterra is set to bring in new rules in mid-2023 that specify all non-replacement calves must enter a value stream such as dairy beef finishing, veal production or the pet food industry. Continued page 5
One country, two summers While the North Island mops up, South Island farmers like Jon Pemberton of Edendale could use some rain. Photo: Natwick NEWS 5
Bee booze with a side of biodiversity Two mates set out to show New Zealand and the globe that all of NZ’s native honeys – and not just mānuka – can make premium products.
PEOPLE 20 District’s new farmer buys top animals for ‘farm that is not going to trees’.
Insect pest fall armyworm found on West Coast after jumping the strait.
Premium fibre, say promoters of cashmere relaunch, is the G.O.A.T.
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WE BROUGHT THE FMG SPOT CHECK ROADIE TO TOWN.
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THESE RESULTS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU.
FMG and Melanoma New Zealand recently visited rural locations around the country with the FMG Spot Check Roadie, sharing life-saving information and giving FREE skin cancer spot checks. Thank you rural New Zealand for booking out every stop on the roadie, here are the surprising results. Melanoma New Zealand checked 759 spots. Of those spots, 113 suspicious lesions were identified and referred for further analysis — that’s 15% of all the spots checked.
14 potential melanomas were referred on for clinical review. Check out the stat map to see how many families now have the information they need to act.
113
SUSPICIOUS LESIONS IDENTIFIED & REFERRED
It just shows how important it is to keep up to date with your skin checks. To find out more, head to fmg.co.nz/mnz or go to melanoma.org.nz/book-a-consultation.
132
SPOTS CHECKED
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216
SPOTS CHECKED
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213
SPOTS CHECKED
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SPOTS CHECKED
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