Eight million dollar boost for red meat in Chinese market, additional resources flow to flood affected South Island farmers, and rural women leading change through national lunch initiative.

Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!

 

Eight million dollar boost for red meat in Chinese market

A major initiative to advance New Zealand red meat in the Chinese market has been announced, with an eight million dollar co-investment revealed at this week's China International Import Exhibition in Shanghai.

Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay unveiled the investment while leading our nation's delegation at the international trade event, which will advance the Taste Pure Nature initiative, uniting government and industry to establish our red meat as China's leading choice.

New Zealand currently ranks as China's second-largest lamb supplier behind Australia, and is the sixth largest supplier of beef. The initiative targets China's emerging middle class, now numbering more than five hundred million consumers who actively seek ready-to-eat, high-quality meal alternatives.

The market value highlights the initiative's timing, with nearly thirty percent of our total red meat reaching Chinese markets. Recent data shows our red meat trade to China reached two-point-eight-six billion dollars, including one-point-two-seven billion in meat and one-point-zero-five billion in lamb.

The investment aims to elevate New Zealand lamb above Australian alternatives in the Chinese market, where Australia currently leads export rankings. 

The investment marks another milestone in strengthening agricultural trade ties between our nations, building on existing agreements and market access achievements.

 

Bank's emission rules create Trans-Tasman divide

Controversy has emerged over Westpac Bank's decision to demand tougher emission reduction targets from New Zealand dairy operators compared to their Australian counterparts.

New data reveals Westpac intends to require local dairy operations to achieve emissions of zero-point-seven-five tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for each tonne of milk. This contrasts with Australian requirements, where dairy operators need only reach zero-point-eight-five tonnes.

Federated Farmers Banking Spokesperson Richard McIntyre says our dairy operators have already achieved better environmental outcomes than the targets being asked of Australian farmers by twenty-thirty. Current measurements indicate New Zealand dairy operations linked to Westpac already maintain a low zero-point-seven-seven tonnes of emissions.

The rural banking survey conducted by Federated Farmers indicates minimal backing for climate target initiatives from banks, with only one in eleven operators indicating their agreement.

Adding to rural community concerns, McIntyre says Federated Farmers reached out to Westpac New Zealand Chief Executive Catherine McGrath in May regarding these industry concerns. No answer has been received.

The matter highlights deeper issues around banking competition in our rural communities. Many agricultural operators indicate they must accept banking regulations regardless of their reasonableness, treating them as additional government oversight.

The banking inquiry currently underway in Parliament may need to examine this developing situation, as it raises important questions about equitable treatment of New Zealand's agricultural sector compared to international counterparts.

Recent data indicates our dairy sector continues to lead worldwide in emission reduction achievements, making these additional banking requirements particularly challenging for local operators.

 

Additional resources flow to flood affected South Island farmers

Rural communities in Southland and Clutha are receiving additional assistance following the recent floods, with new initiatives rolling out to aid local farmers and growers.

The Southland Rural Support Trust has welcomed Te Anau local Glyn Saunders as their new recovery coordinator. This addition comes after the Ministry allocated thirty-seven thousand dollars to enhance local assistance.

Southland Rural Support Trust Chairman Simon Hopcroft, says more rural residents are reaching out through their toll free helpline, with many seeking guidance on feed management and accessing mental wellbeing resources.

In neighbouring Otago, their Rural Support Trust, under Chairman Tom Pinckney's leadership, received twenty thousand dollars to assist communities, notably in Strath Taieri and Kyeburn areas affected by recent rainfall.

The funding enables both trusts to maintain their confidential services, including one-on-one assistance and connections to rural health resources. Local volunteers, including the Handy Landys and Otago Volunteer Student Army, continue clearing flood damage.

A coffee shout event is happening today at Te Tipua School at 11:45 am, and then in Browns at 1:30 pm on Saturday. A dedicated rural family event is also scheduled at Garston School on November 14thh.

Anyone needing rural assistance can call the Rural Support Trust confidentially on 0800 787 254

Additional volunteer assistance remains available through Volunteer South.

 

Waitaki farmers pioneer new health crop trial

A groundbreaking agricultural initiative is taking root in North Otago, where traditional dairy land will soon nurture alternative natural health ingredients.

The Waitaki Grown initiative unites local farmers with the Waitaki District Council's economic team to trial medicinal and natural health alternatives this spring. Five Forks dairy operators Hayden and Robyn Williams are among those leading this innovative approach.

The Williams' twenty-year dairy experience now extends to testing natural ingredients including liquorice and mint on their land. Their trial mirrors other locations across the district, where carefully chosen medicinal ingredients will evaluate new income alternatives.

Waitaki District Council Business and Enterprise Growth Lead Rebecca Finlay says these natural health ingredients align with New Zealand's trusted international reputation, targeting the growing wellness market both here and overseas.

The council team is already building connections with local manufacturers and international markets, aiming to maintain value within the region. These new alternatives need minimal water, fertiliser, or chemical intervention.

Each trial area measures half a hectare, with some ingredients taking up to three years to reach maturity. The initiative, backed through the government's Better Off fund, unites forward-thinking rural operators interested in diversifying their income.

 

Rural women leading change through national lunch initiative

Two leading agricultural organisations are joining together to make a real change in New Zealand communities through a nationwide lunch initiative launching this month.

Meat the Need and Dairy Women's Network have announced three major community events aimed at uniting rural leaders while tackling national hunger issues. The organisations will host extended lunch gatherings across three major agricultural regions, beginning in Canterbury on November 18th.

Each event will welcome culinary expert Margo Flanagan, who leads Two Raw Sisters. She will demonstrate time-saving kitchen methods designed to help rural households manage their demanding schedules more effectively.

Dairy Women's Network CEO Jules Benton says working alongside other agricultural organisations creates wider reaching outcomes than working alone, and these events will strengthen rural community ties while addressing community needs.

The lunches are scheduled at the Ashburton Hotel in Canterbury, moving to Hamilton's Verandah venue, and concluding at Tairoa Lodge in Taranaki. Each location was chosen to ensure maximum accessibility across New Zealand's major agricultural regions.

Meat the Need general manager Zellara Holden says the lunch gatherings will create meaningful changes in addressing national hunger challenges. 

Tickets are available at seventy-five dollars each, with all proceeds going straight to Meet The Need.

Early registration is recommended due to limited venue capacity at each location. A link to purchase tickets is in this episode's description.

Meat the Need Long Lunches with Dairy Women's Network

 

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