An expected decline of beef and lamb shipment volumes in the coming year is expected to shave 1.6% off export receipts, even though values are forecast to be higher than last year.
The country's two meat processing co-operatives are considering investing in Wool Grower Holdings, but are waiting to see its long awaited prospectus.
The partners in a new plate-to-pasture red-meat programme say it is open to all animal breeds, even though they have financial links to Rissington and Kelso sheep and cattle genetics.
There is no shortage of farmers who have visited Europe and returned with horror stories about the presentation of New Zealand lamb.
The global financial crisis has increased the reliance on meat markets in emerging markets, as consumers in traditionally high-value markets trade down the value of cuts they buy, according to Rabobank.
While confidence and prospects for sheep farmers may be at a low ebb, there are some projects under way in a bid to reverse fortunes.
The Government is promising to assist in the restructuring of the beleaguered meat industry, should it be presented with a credible plan.
A new farmer group is take up the cudgels of meat-industry reform amid claims the owners of more than 250 South Island sheep and beef farms are on the verge of converting to dairying.
Stone the crows, we've been eating Aussie beef.
Farmers are forming Meat Goat NZ, a producer body to grow the industry and give producers a voice.
• A special correspondent of the Yorkshire Post devotes a column to "New Zealand - wool, mutton and hospitality."
Eoin Garden looks at the future of the sheep and beef industry and examines recent reports that identify the need to change industry strategy away from throughput and on to customer needs and investment.
