Chairman Mike Petersen launched the Referendum 09 discussion document (PDF 635 kb) at the Meat & Wool New Zealand AGM held at Glen Islay Station near Gore on 11 March.

The discussion document outlines Meat & Wool New Zealand’s strategic view of the future and our proposed future work in six key activity areas. They will form the basis of the discussion during an extensive consultation round to test farmers’ support for those investment areas.

All sheep, beef and dairy farmers on the Meat & Wool New Zealand Referendum Roll have been sent the discussion document. With the document is the consultation timetable and venues (PDF 87.5 kb) and feedback form (PDF 188 kb).

If you haven't received the discussion document, you're not on the Referendum Roll. To enrol to vote so you can have your say in August, please call the referendum hotline 0508 666 336 or complete and send in the Referendum Roll registration form (PDF 418 kb).

Meat & Wool New Zealand has commissioned Nimmo-Bell & Company Ltd, business and investment advisors in agribusiness and food, to undertake independent analysis of work programmes (PDF 751 kb) carried out in the past five years. Meat & Wool New Zealand has also compiled an overview of wool levy income and investments (PDF 222 kb) from 2004 to 2008.

If you would like to know more about the consultation and referendum process, or want to give feedback online, please visit www.consultation09.co.nz.

Pakarae Whangara B5 Partnership, north of Gisborne, is the winner of the 2009 BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Award for sheep and beef farming. Judges described the newly formed partnership of Pakarae Whangara B5 as “impressive” and representing “true leadership, vision and hard work.”

In awarding the Trophy to Pakarae Whangara B5, the Judges noted “the impressive financial performance” that had placed the property in the top 10 per cent for its farm class. They also commended the Partnership on an exceptionally well-run field day attended by over 400 people.

As a proud supporter, Meat & Wool New Zealand managed the event and contributed to the judging. For more information about the awards please visit www.ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz/

Meat & Wool New Zealand congratulates Catherine Withers, the 2009 Steak of Origin Challenge Grand Champion with her Piedmontese/Friesian entry.

There were a record 350 entries in this year’s Meat & Wool New Zealand Steak of Origin Challenge, sponsored by PGG Wrightson and Pfizer Animal Health, and run by Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

The 350 entries went to Lincoln University where meat scientists tested each sirloin for pH, percentage cooking loss and tenderness, as determined by a tenderometer, which is calibrated to mimic a human’s bite giving a shearforce reading. At the semi-final a panel of judges critiqued the steaks on aroma, texture, tenderness and taste to choose the top four in each category. The following day, a public tasting of the finalist steaks gave consumers a say too, contributing up to 10 percent of the final score.

New Zealand’s most tender, tasty lamb was unveiled at the Golden Lamb Awards in Wanaka in March.

The 2009 Glammies Grand Champions are Ken and Joss Taylor from Otautau with their Textra lamb processed at the winning plant, Alliance Group, Mataura.

The Golden Lamb Awards attracted 2000 lamb entries from 50 farms and 20 retailers nationwide, culminating in the red carpet ‘taste-off’ between 20 finalists, staged at the Upper Clutha A & P show. The competition is run by Beef + Lamb New Zealand on behalf of Meat & Wool New Zealand.

Meat & Wool New Zealand recently launched the Land & Environmental Plan (LEP) Tool Kit, which was put together by a project team comprising several farmers and four regional council representatives.

A LEP is a documented assessment of a farm’s resources and environmental issues and a plan outlining how those issues will be managed. The Tool Kit is a module-based system. Farmers can complete Level 1 (the introductory LEP) themselves, simply by completing one of the two workbooks provided. This will take about 20 minutes. Levels 2 and 3 may require some specialist input. To access the LEP Tool Kit, click here.