'Emotional time' as Timaru meat works closes its doors
Alliance says it will be an "emotional time" for the 55 remaining meat workers at its Smithfield plant in Timaru today, as it prepares to shut its doors after 138 years.
Red Meat
Fewer lambs in the South
Fewer lambs in the South
Preliminary figures from a Beef + Lamb New Zealand report indicates fewer lambs were born in the South this year compared to last year.
Fewer lambs to affect supply
Fewer lambs to affect supply
The lamb crop is down by about one million, led by a South Island decline as a shrinking ewe flock and decrease in the lambing percentage takes a toll.
Limousin steer sets record price
Limousin steer sets record price
A farming couple just outside of Ashburton are understood to have set a record prime cattle price after breaking the $4 a kilogram liveweight barrier with a Limousin steer.
South Island lamb numbers drop ahead of Xmas
South Island lamb numbers drop ahead of Xmas
Potential significant shortfalls in lamb supply in the South Island in the lead-up to Christmas have been highlighted by Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Focus groups planned
Focus groups planned
Beef + Lamb New Zealand is holding focus group workshops in the South next year.
Hopes higher cattle prices here to stay
Hopes higher cattle prices here to stay
Steadier pasture growth and beef prices gave buyers confidence to bid up at the Balclutha cattle sale, a stock agent says.
Healthy lambs need to have healthy ewes
Healthy lambs need to have healthy ewes
Growing a great lamb requires a continual maintenance of the ewe’s body condition, a southern farm consultant says.
Iron sharpens iron: call for critical mass of Poll Dorset breeders
Iron sharpens iron: call for critical mass of Poll Dorset breeders
Poll Dorset ram breeder Peter Gardyne continues to grow his stud near Gore.
Healthy lambs need healthy ewes
Healthy lambs need healthy ewes
Growing a great lamb requires a continual maintenance of the ewe’s body condition, a southern farm consultant says.
Shutting meatworks costing Alliance $51 million
Shutting Timaru meatworks costing Alliance $51 million
Shutting down a large Timaru meatworks is costing troubled red meat co-operative Alliance Group more than $51 million.
Generations of family history gone with plant closure
Generations of family history gone with plant closure
Members from two Timaru families have worked more than 300 years combined at the Smithfield plant, they're now among hundreds of people trying to figure what to do next after losing their jobs.
Deer farmer set for 16th stag sale
Deer farmer set for 16th stag sale
The New Zealand stag sale season begins at Fairlight Station in Garston on December 11. Shawn McAvinue spends five minutes talking to manager Simon Wright about the leadup to his 16th annual sale.
Pleasing results for cattle vendors
Pleasing results for cattle vendors
Rising positivity in the agriculture sector is bringing pleasing results for cattle vendors in the South.
‘Majority’ of staff facing redundancy
‘Majority’ of staff facing redundancy
Agencies in Timaru have swung into gear to support the hundreds of workers who have lost their jobs as Alliance Group confirmed the closure of its Smithfield meat processing plant later this year.
Trip highlights genetic potential
Trip highlights genetic potential
Beef industries overseas are increasingly recognising the power of genetic tools to future-proof their sectors and address their biggest challenges, Beef + Lamb New Zealand says.
Trial investigates feed efficiency
Trial investigates feed efficiency
A North Canterbury farm is using the latest technology to measure beef cattle feed efficiency and methane emissions.
More farms needed for facial eczema study
More farms needed for facial eczema study
A call is being made for southern sheep poo samples in order to help investigate the spread of facial eczema.
Pair addressing meaty issue
Pair addressing meaty issue
For most people, it is still a bit too chilly outside to fire up the barbecue.
Business success down to people
Business success down to people
Don’t blame the economy for a business failing, blame the people involved in it, economist Cameron Bagrie says.