Red meat exports surge 25% as global demand strengthens, strong wool prices ease as market favours buyers, and Henderson dominates with Golden Shears and NZ Championships double.
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Red meat exports surge 25% as global demand strengthens
The red meat sector’s February exports soared to $1.1 billion, marking a 25 percent jump compared to the same month last year.
The surge comes as Kiwi farmers continue to capture premium returns in key markets, with the United States leading the charge at $339 million, up 32 percent. China followed with exports worth $278 million, while the European Union showed remarkable growth in both beef and sheepmeat sales.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the figures show the sector's resilience and ability to respond to changing market conditions. While export volumes remained relatively stable, values climbed significantly as farmers and processors successfully targeted premium market segments.
EU sheepmeat exports have hit their highest February levels since 2019, reaching 8,579 tonnes worth $152 million – the first time monthly EU sheepmeat exports have broken the $150 million barrier since 2009. This reflects growing global appetite for sheepmeat and tight European inventories, creating ideal conditions for Kiwi farmers.
North American markets delivered particularly strong returns for beef producers, with US exports exceeding $250 million in a single month for the first time. Canadian demand also jumped significantly with volumes up 30 percent and value increasing 77 percent to $24 million.
Fifth quarter products continued to deliver important additional revenue streams for farmers, with total co-product exports rising 7 percent to $169 million. Strong growth in edible offals, casings and prepared meat products demonstrates the sector's commitment to maximising returns from every animal.
The results highlight the continuing importance of market diversification, with strong performances across multiple regions helping to offset ongoing competition from South American suppliers in the Chinese beef market.
Strong wool prices ease as market favours buyers
The wool market is continuing to favour buyers, with lamb's wool and lower-quality coloured fleece seeing the most significant price pressure according to the latest South Island auction results.
The South Island Strong Wool Indicator shows a mixed market with selective buying becoming more pronounced. Despite the overall trend towards a buyers' market, well-prepared wools with minimal colour issues continue to attract steady demand, highlighting the growing premium for quality.
PGG Wrightson’s South Island Auction Manager Dave Burridge reports crossbred oddments dropped 2% to $2.80 per kilogram clean at the March 20 sale, while results across other categories showed varied performance. Good style crossbred fleece bucked the trend with a 3% increase to $3.80, with average and poor styles also seeing 4% gains to $3.68 and $3.60 respectively.
Second shear crossbreds showed more pressure with good style holding steady at $3.86, while average style eased 1% to $3.62 and inferior style dropped 2% to $3.37. Lamb's fleece categories felt similar pressure with good style 30-micron wool falling 2% to $3.58 and average style down 3% to $3.45.
The broader crossbred fleece indicators reflected the general market tone with good style holding at $3.85, average style easing 1% to $3.65, and inferior style down 2% to $3.44.
Currency movements are adding further complexity for exporters with the New Zealand dollar dropping 5 cents against the US dollar, potentially offering some relief for international buyers but complicating market conditions for growers.
The next South Island wool auction is scheduled for April 10, the next North Island auction is set to go on Thursday.
Henderson dominates with Golden Shears and NZ Championships double
Northland shearer Toa Henderson has stamped his authority on New Zealand's shearing scene by claiming the prestigious New Zealand Championships Open title in Te Kuiti, completing a historic double after his Golden Shears triumph in Masterton last month.
Henderson shattered expectations in the 25-sheep final, finishing in just 19 minutes and 57 seconds – averaging under 50 seconds per sheep and finishing nearly half a minute ahead of his nearest competitor. The victory marks his second major title in four weeks and cements his place as the country's premier shearer.
Scottish shearer and Southern Hawke's Bay farmer Gavin Mutch claimed second place despite making the early pace, with Henderson winning by 1.534 points. Marlborough's Angus Moore rounded out the top three, finishing just 0.274 points behind Mutch.
Earlier in the competition, Mutch had dominated the New Zealand Shears Circuit final, mastering the challenging mix of merinos, second-shear ewes and lambs. With Mutch ineligible for New Zealand team selection due to his nationality, Henderson and Mark Grainger will represent the country in test matches in the UK this July.
While the men's Open competition delivered exceptional performances, Southern Hawke's Bay's Laura Bradley made history by becoming the first woman to win either the Senior or Intermediate final in Te Kuiti, defeating five male competitors. She also claimed the Junior woolhandling title and had previously completed the Golden Shears-New Zealand Shears women's final double.
Bradley's remarkable season has included 12 competition wins, earning her an unprecedented promotion to Open class based on competition performance – the first woman to achieve this milestone. She will also move up to Senior class in woolhandling after four Junior event victories this season.
In the woolhandling competitions, Te Kuiti's Keryn Herbert successfully defended her Open title, with Marton's Logan Kamura taking second place. Herbert's victory adds to her impressive career tally of more than 60 Open woolhandling titles.
Twelve-month hunting permits coming as system gets overhaul
A major upgrade to the country's hunting permit system will deliver significant benefits to the 34,000 hunters accessing conservation land, with longer permit periods and simplified processes responding directly to hunter feedback.
Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager says the outdated current system will be replaced with hunter-focused improvements including 12-month permits instead of the current four-month validity period. Hunters will also receive automatic 14-day expiry reminders, ensuring continuous access to hunting areas without administrative gaps.
The upgraded system addresses key frustrations in the hunting community by dramatically simplifying the hunting area selection process. Instead of navigating through 54 separate hunting areas, hunters will now select from just eight regions - four in the North Island and four covering the South Island and Stewart Island.
All existing hunting areas within each broader region will automatically be included on permits, with hunters also gaining the ability to select nationwide access with a single button press. These changes will significantly reduce the administrative burden for regular hunters who access multiple areas.
Mobile accessibility has been prioritised in the system redesign, making it easier for hunters to obtain permits while on the move. The more reliable platform addresses technical limitations of the current system that have frustrated users trying to access permits from remote locations.
Meager says the improvements, while seemingly simple, demonstrate the government's commitment to supporting hunting access on conservation land and its willingness to incorporate practical feedback from the hunting community to deliver real-world benefits.
Canterbury and Southland crown separate dairy award winners
Canterbury and Southland's top dairy talent have been recognised at the 2025 Dairy Industry Awards, with young operators demonstrating exceptional skill and ambition across both regions.
Richard Grabham and Nikita Baker were announced Canterbury/North Otago Share Farmers of the Year, while Hayden Smith and Isla Pringle claimed the Southland/Otago title. Both winning couples emphasised their role as custodians of the land and their commitment to developing pathways for future generations in the industry.
The Canterbury/North Otago winners contract milk on a 420-hectare Ashburton property with 1450 cows, while the Southland/Otago recipients operate as 50/50 sharemilkers on a 175-hectare property with 450 cows near Mabel Bush. Both couples demonstrated exceptional financial management, with Smith and Pringle achieving debt-free status after just three years sharemilking.
George Dodson and Leah Murray took out the Dairy Manager category in their respective regions, while Caleb Smith and Emma Blom were named Dairy Trainees of the Year. Notably, 23-year-old George Dodson is also the current FMG Young Farmer of the Year, showcasing the calibre of emerging talent.
Many winners spoke about their commitment to sustainability, highlighting environmental practices and efforts to improve the land for future generations. Smith and Pringle specifically earned merit awards for environmental sustainability and sustainable pasture management.
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