19 Apr 2024

Rural News Wrap

From Country Life, 7:12 pm on 19 April 2024
Christchurch Agriculture Show

The annual Canterbury A&P show, which sees country come to town in Christchurch, has been canned​. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A round-up of the week's agricultural news with RNZ rural news reporter Monique Steele.

The annual Canterbury A&P show, which sees country come to town in Christchurch, has been canned over financial viability challenges, with organisers saying two years of Covid-19 disruptions and a financial loss last year meant it was just not feasible this year.

The red deer milking herd at Aratiatia

Venison exports to the US have soared in recent months. Photo: RNZ/Sally Round

Venison sales have bounced back after taking a hit during the pandemic, but more dairy cull cows flowing into the works has resulted in meat companies lowering their prices and lamb prices remain at historical lows. Most North Island processors are paying between$6.00 and $6.30 a kilogram. Down South sheep are going for $5.80 to just over $6.00 a kilo.

Mataura meatworks plant.

It's a mixed bag at the meatworks. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Two red-meat sector research projects have just received a major funding boost from the New Zealand Meat Board - $1 million is going towards tackling facial eczema and another $700,000 is going to an existing project giving farmers beef genetics tools to increase productivity and profitability.