Market diversity drives strong December meat sales, connectivity summit takes fresh look at rural internet, and late starter ready to shine in regional Young Farmer final.

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Market diversity drives strong December meat sales

New Zealand's red meat sector finished 2024 with a strong December performance, pushing exports past the billion-dollar mark for only the second time last year. Total export values hit $1.04 billion, up 17 percent from the previous December.

Market diversification proved crucial for farmers, with the United States emerging as a particularly bright spot. While China held steady at $313 million, American buyers increased their purchases by 38 percent to $310 million, demonstrating growing international appetite for New Zealand products.

Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the sector's resilience shone through despite earlier market challenges. The recovery gained momentum in key markets, with the UK showing a 53 percent increase and Canadian demand more than doubling.

Sheepmeat returns delivered particularly strong results for farmers. Despite slightly lower volumes, values jumped 22 percent to $378 million. The beef sector followed a similar pattern, with values climbing 22 percent to $511 million despite marginally lower volumes.

The industry's strategic focus on premium chilled exports paid off, with both sheepmeat and beef seeing significant growth in this high-value category. Chilled sheepmeat exports rose seven percent to 38,249 tonnes, while chilled beef surged 12 percent to 37,763 tonnes.

Looking ahead to 2025, the strong December performance and growing demand across diverse markets signal positive momentum for New Zealand farmers and meat processors.

 

Connectivity summit takes fresh look at rural internet

Tech Users Association of New Zealand is expanding its annual rural connectivity event into the Connecting Aotearoa Summit 2025, with rural internet access remaining a core focus as the conference enters its tenth year. The event, set for May 21 in Hamilton, aims to address why full connectivity remains out of reach for many New Zealanders.

TUANZ CEO Craig Young says despite significant progress, reliable and affordable internet access continues to challenge many rural communities. The summit will maintain its traditional focus on rural connectivity while broadening the conversation to examine digital access barriers across all regions.

The Hamilton-based event builds on last year's record attendance, bringing together industry leaders and policymakers to tackle persistent connectivity challenges. Rural digital access heads the agenda, alongside discussions on affordability and emerging technologies that could benefit farming communities.

Young says the technological divide between connected and unconnected regions risks leaving rural businesses and families behind in accessing essential services, from education to healthcare. The summit will explore practical solutions to ensure rural communities can fully participate in New Zealand's digital future.

 

Ravensdown venture arm opens door to global agtech

Ravensdown's venture arm Agnition is launching a new accelerator program with Singapore-based Agrifood Futures, aiming to bring promising international farm technology to New Zealand farmers. The Land x Launch program will identify overseas agtech startups and connect them with local farmers for real-world testing.

Agnition CEO Jasper van Halder says their nationwide network of tech-savvy farmers provides an ideal testing ground for emerging agricultural technologies. The three-month program leverages Agrifood Futures' global connections to spot innovative solutions from Europe and Asia that could benefit Kiwi farmers.

The partnership builds on Agrifood Futures' successful track record of running similar programs in Asia and Australia through its sister company Farmers2Founders. Selected startups will receive support to adapt their technology for New Zealand conditions, with potential investment from Agnition to help scale successful solutions.

Agrifood Futures Co-founder Joshua Soo says New Zealand farmers' reputation for adopting efficient practices makes the country an attractive proving ground for new agricultural technology. 

Looking ahead, Agnition plans to reverse the flow, helping New Zealand agtech startups access international markets through Agrifood Futures' global network of over 100 investors and hubs across Australia, Asia, and Europe.

 

Kiwi youth teams chase World Angus Forum glory

Eight young Kiwi Angus enthusiasts are putting the final touches on their preparation to represent New Zealand at the World Angus Forum in New South Wales this May, following intensive training in Southland. The teams will be aiming to continue New Zealand's strong international showing, after claiming first and second places at the 2017 forum in Scotland.

Two four-member teams - Infinity and Legacy - have been selected for the prestigious competition, which tests participants aged 18 to 25 across stock preparation, judging, handling, agrisports and public speaking. Team Infinity is led by Northland's Tom Hayward, while Team Legacy is captained by Canterbury's Caitlin Rhodes.

Generation Angus committee chairwoman Marie Fitzpatrick says the recent training weekend at Rockley Angus in Northern Southland provided crucial hands-on experience. The teams worked with yearling heifers from Rockley and Umbrella Range Angus, even entering them successfully in the Gore A&P Show.

The comprehensive preparation included muscle scanning training for meat quality assessment and a visit to Alliance Group's Mataura plant. Angus New Zealand president Mike Smith praised the southern training weekend, highlighting the importance of young people engaging with the beef industry.

Fitzpatrick, drawing from her experience on the winning 2017 team, says New Zealand competitors excel in carcass trait knowledge, though showing cattle remains an area for improvement. The forum, held every four years, offers unique networking opportunities with global industry leaders.

 

Late starter ready to shine in regional Young Farmer final

Age is but a number for 29-year-old Laura Davis, who's making her first bid for FMG Young Farmer of the Year glory at this Saturday's Waikato Bay of Plenty Regional Final in Waerenga. The Hamilton City Young Farmers member proved her worth at district level and is now ready to tackle the bigger stage before aging out of the competition.

Davis, who works as an Extension Manager for Beef and Lamb New Zealand, brings a diverse background to the competition. From her rural roots in Piopio to earning an Agricultural Science degree, she's gained experience across farm work, sales, and technical roles.

The Regional Final promises to test contestants with a series of challenging practical and technical tasks throughout the day, culminating in an evening buzzer quiz. The winner will represent the region at July's Grand Final in Invercargill.

New Zealand Young Farmers' Chief Executive Lynda Coppersmith notes a significant rise in female participation, with women making up 25% of Regional Final qualifiers this year. Regional Convenor Jaimee Coad-Drayton says contestants will face unexpected challenges designed to showcase knowledge beyond the region's dairy focus.

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