Making the final of the Beef and Lamb New Zealand Steak of Origin Challenge should prove Dexter cattle are a viable commercial breed, breeder Julia Eden says.
An "appalling spring" is set to push New Zealand's lamb kill this season to its lowest level since the 1960-61 season, Beef and Lamb economic service executive director Rob Davison says.
In light of dire predictions for the viability and economic sustainability of the red meat sector, the latest investigation to improve the performance of the $8 billion export earner cannot be allowed to become yet another doorstop.
An $850,000 contestable fund has been established to drive further growth of the red-meat industry.
Prime Minister John Key will in early May launch a strategy aimed at improving the viability of the red meat sector in an intentional display of the importance industry leaders place on the document.
Beef and Lamb New Zealand directors Leon Black, from the southern South Island, and Mike Petersen, of the eastern North Island, have been re-elected to their positions unopposed.
World sheep meat may be in short supply, but there are signs sheep farming countries are starting to ramp up production.
September's storm has turned a potentially excellent year for southern sheep and beef farmers in to a pretty good one.
Weaning hasn't even started and meat companies and stock agents are engaged in a savage procurement war which has pushed the price of store lambs to over $70 and old ewes to $80.
Allan and Karen Edwards admit to being cautiously optimistic about prospects for their store lamb sale in January, but the West Otago farmers are not getting carried away.
An expected procurement war could push average lamb prices towards $100 this season, as meat companies scramble for a share of a lamb kill which could be one million fewer than expected at less than 20 million.
Three women from Otago have been chosen for a new course designed to develop rural leadership and governance skills in women.
