New CEO for merged AHB and NAIT

William McCook has been appointed chief executive of the organisation soon to be formed through the merger of the Animal Health Board (AHB) and NAIT, the National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme.

McCook is currently the chief executive of AHB. The new role was publicly advertised and his appointment followed a highly competitive selection process.

Jeff Grant, chairman of the new organisation’s board, said that while the immediate focus will be sustaining the success of the bovine TB strategy and completing implementation of the NAIT scheme, the new merged entity will be looking to a broader future.

“We recognise the opportunity to apply and extend the abilities of the two existing organisations to other programmes which will benefit and sustain New Zealand’s primary industries,” he said.

“William brings a proven track record of considerable success in leading the implementation of the TB strategy, together with experience in commercial and export industries. This will allow us to develop an organisation which best meets the needs of our industry stakeholders and local government, while working closely with the Ministry for Primary Industries.”

The first tasks for the board and chief executive will be to plan and implement the merger of the AHB and NAIT. This is expected to be completed by July 2013.

Russell Burnard will continue in his current role as the chief executive of NAIT.

Optimistic signs for coming season’s red meat trade

After some harrowing experiences last season for the meat industry, both processors and farmers, 12 months on things are looking up. This sense of optimism hasn’t yet been reflected in prices from the meat companies, but statements from those in the know strike a perceptibly more positive note, writes industry commentator Allan Barber.

Last year, the lamb kill was down by a million, there was drought in significant livestock areas, the dollar was too high and so was the procurement price for lamb. While beef remained relatively unaffected by the hype, the price really not changing much in a year, sheepmeat was a completely different story. Driven by the unholy combination of scarcity and tight shipping deadlines for the Christmas trade, the procurement price hit $8 a kilo and struggled to get down from that level.

The net result was too many buyers chasing too few lambs which were also allowed to put on too much weight. The export markets got a severe dose of indigestion and inevitably inventories built up fast on both sides of the world. All this time, the New Zealand dollar stayed obstinately high.

We will find out in November how badly this set of circumstances affected the profit and balance sheet performance of the meat exporters, although Blue Sky’s result to the end of March gave a pretty good indication of the effect of the first six months of the season.

Farmers won’t be as unhappy as the processors and exporters because they received more for their stock than it was worth and, although the lamb price has now dropped from $150 to below $100, this is still better than in many previous years. According to Keith Cooper in Silver Fern Farms’ (SFF) news release last week, he predicts the price will bottom out at about $4.80 per kilo after Christmas, equivalent to $90 for an 18.75 kg lamb. It will then rebuild to $5.80 or $109 by this time next year. Cooper has also said last year’s pricing got way out of kilter and won’t happen again this year.

Cooper’s optimism is based on favourable European buyer response in the last couple of weeks, culminating in the European food fair at SIAL in Paris last weekend. UK supermarket chains also seem to be positive about the forthcoming chilled New Zealand lamb season which starts with Christmas and continues until British lamb starts to appear in the chillers after Easter.

SFF’s news release provided an interesting, if slightly puzzling, piece of information which stated that Marks & Spencer had awarded their new contract for chilled lamb to Alliance, having dealt exclusively with SFF for five years, because “we could not offer Organic lamb to M&S.” As far as I can understand, and from memory, M&S have always insisted on knowing where their lamb came from, eventually insisting on identifying the lambs’ farms of origin and traceability, but organics have never been a requirement in the past.

Cooper subsequently confirmed to me that the M&S tender specified a proportion of organic supply as part of the supply which SFF couldn’t guarantee to fulfil.

Alliance suggested that it was not required to supply certified organic lamb under its new contract, although all suppliers involved belong to the company’s Hoofprint programme which measures their carbon footprint. In fact, it’s hard to see how enough organic lamb could be available, especially in the pre-Christmas period, while there is little evidence the UK supermarkets are willing to pay a sufficient premium for organic supply.

In contrast, beef prices appear set to continue stable, underpinned by drought conditions which have affected feed supply and cost in the USA; however, any weakness in the New Zealand dollar would inevitably flow through to better livestock prices, much as meat companies might want to hang onto any bonus they receive.

I imagine meat exporters will be keen to put what was reasonably torrid 2011/12 season behind them and bed in the capacity changes they have decided on, so their new season’s performance can benefit. Sheep farmers can’t aspire to the $150 lamb, but they can expect more certainty and consistency on which to base their farm business.

This article has also appeared at www.interest.co.nz.

Deer industry about to do “hard yards’

The time for talking is over and the deer industry is about “to do the hard yards”, says Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) chairman, Andy Macfarlane.

Writing in the latest Deer Industry News, Macfarlane says the “industry prize of profitability should be enough to keep us focused on the job.”

The goalpost presented at the 2012 conference has been “determined, reviewed and confirmed as $1.27 per kg venison increase in EBIT by 2022″, achieved from productivity gains alone, Macfarlane explains.

“We also believe we can increase venison tonnage by 50 percent in that time, while simultaneously improving the market return from venison, hence adding to that $1.27 per kg.”

The 50 percent increase in tonnage takes venison output back to a little less than 2007 and 2008 levels, he says, but from an organised stable herd rather than from a reduction of capital stock. The Europe venison marketing strategy and formal access into China and Korea for venison co-products and velvet underpin the on-farm market return. Member processors are now putting together their three-year marketing plans for submission to access increased DINZ funds.

In addition, after consultation with farmers, AgResearch scientists, vets, farm management consultants, processors and educationalists, Primary Growth Partnership funding is being sought from government for on-farm productivity initiatives to deliver an integrated initiative “that we are confident will deliver the additional $1.27 per kg of venison sold,” says Macfarlane, adding that by his calculations it should generate additional industry EBIT of $42 million a year.

To show commitment “by purchasing some of our own ‘training gear’”, industry is being asked to contribute 4 cents per kg of venison fro seven years (initially $900,000 a year).

“The cost is temporary but the return – over $30 per $1 of levy money initially invested – is permanent.”

The title of the PGP bid is ‘The next generation – premium by nature and design’, which he says is significant.

“We have a premium product sold in premium markets. Our animals are pasture-fed and raised in a natural environment. We are poised for our third generation of deer products, produced by our third generation of deer farmers.”

The latest Deer Industry News magazine (Issue 56, October/November 2012),  is out now. 

 

 

Meat exports contribute to trade surplus

Meat and edible offal export values – New Zealand’s second largest export commodity – have contributed to a seasonally adjusted trade surplus of $147 million,  led by an increase in exports, according to new merchandise trade figures released today by Statistics NZ.

The surplus follows trade deficits of $698 million in the March 2012 quarter and $581 million in the June 2012 quarter.

Exports rose by 5.1 percent to $11.9 billion in the September 2012 quarter, says Statistics NZ. While the increase was led by a rise of 16 percent ($450 million) in the value of milk powder, butter and cheese, meat and edible offal  was also up 10 percent in value ($128 million), with quantities up 14 percent. Value increases for fruit and wine also contributed.

The trend for exports is 1.8 percent lower than its record high of September 2011.

 

Australian agriculture minister to visit

The Australian Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Hon Joe Ludwig will visit New Zealand for bilateral and primary industries meetings over the next two days.

Hon Ludwig, who will be joined by Primary Industries Ministers from NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory, will meet with Minister Carter this afternoon.

“This visit is a valuable opportunity to discuss two-way trade and issues in the primary sector that affect both Australia and New Zealand,” says Carter.

While in Auckland Hon Ludwig will also chair the Standing Council on Primary Industries meeting.

“This meeting is attended by Primary Industries Ministers from New Zealand and Australia and allows us to share approaches, ideas, and views on the challenges and opportunities facing the primary industries.

“One of the issues we will discuss is the food sector opportunities available to both countries.

“By focusing on our food industries, New Zealand and Australia have the ability to increase productivity, innovate and add value to the domestic and export sector. There are opportunities in working together.

“We enjoy a strong relationship with Australia, our largest trading partner, and meetings such as this play an important role in enhancing primary sector collaboration between our two countries,” says Carter.

Positive signs in Europe

There are positive signs in Europe for New Zealand lamb, beef and venison meats and co-products according to Silver Fern Farms which has finalised its plans for Christmas chilled lamb sales and completed its overall sales plan for 2012/2013 with positive outcomes, it says.

The company’s sales teams have been active in Europe over the past two weeks, culminating in the European food fair SIAL in Paris last weekend.

“Working with our Aalst office team in Belgium, we have met and concluded business with many European customers who appear to have regained confidence based on supply and stability of value, which is underpinning the overall market sentiment from European customers,” says chief executive Keith Cooper.

For general manager sales and marketing Glenn Tyrrell, this early confidence is a healthy sign. “It will likely lead to sustained demand and relising on food service delivery cards, something which has been lacking lately due to the price hike in 2011,” he says.

In the UK, Marks and Spencer (M&S) recently put up their annual six month supply of chilled NZ lamb for sole tender. “As we could not offer organic lamb to M&S, the Alliance Group picked up this tender. While unfortunate, given the effort from both Silver Fern Farms and suppliers who have supported M&S for the last five years, our priority is to maximise organic and overall chilled supply to Tesco which has fully supported development of our branded retail packs in their store,” says Tyrrell.

Silver Fern Farms continues to be optimistic on beef with a prediction for schedule prices to farmers of $3.60 a kg during the season heading to $4.20 per kg, according to Cooper. “Venison is forecast to track up from a low of $6.70-8.00 per kg next October and lamb is likely to bottom out at peak season post-Christmas at $4.80 per kg and will progressively build to $5.80 per kg this time next year,” he says.

“It is clear the European market cannot be taken for granted,” comments Cooper. “Market forces over 2011/2012 saw a downturn in sales and a major price correction, in market and at farm gate. Now this has passed, many customers are looking to relist products but they are also looking for marketing support and price stability. These opportunities fit particularly well with Silver Fern Farms’ strategy of creating value in the way of a truly integrated value chain – linking consumers to farmer suppliers.”

 

Global meat production and consumption curbed

A new United States report looks at how disease and drought have curbed global meat production and consumption, notes shifts in geographical areas of production, calls for lowering individual meat consumption and for meat production to be “reconnected to the land and its natural carrying capacity”.

Global meat production rose to 270 million tonnes (297 million short US tons) in 2011, an increase of 0.8 percent over 2010 levels, and is projected to reach 270 million tonnes (302 million tons) by the end of 2012, according to new research conducted by the Washington DC-based Worldwatch Institute’s Nourishing the Planet project (www.worldwatch.org) for the Institute’s Vital Signs Online service.

In comparison, the report shows that meat production rose 2.6 percent in 2010 and has risen 20 percent since 2001. Record drought in the U.S. Midwest, animal disease outbreaks, and rising prices of livestock feed all contributed to 2011 and 2012′s lower rise in production, write report authors Danielle Nierenberg and Laura Reynolds.

Also bucking a decades-long trend, meat consumption decreased slightly worldwide in 2011, from 42.5 kilograms (kg) per person in 2010 to 42.3 kg, the authors note. Since 1995, however, per capita meat consumption has increased 15 percent overall; in developing countries, it increased 25 percent during this time, whereas in industrialised countries it increased just two percent. Although the disparity between meat consumption in developing and industrialised countries is shrinking, it remains high: the average person in a developing country ate 32.3 kg of meat in 2011, whereas in industrialised countries people ate 78.9 kg on average.

Pork was the most popular meat in 2011, accounting for 37 percent of both meat production and consumption, at 99 million tonnes (109 million tons), the report notes. This was followed closely by poultry meat, with 92 million tonnes (101 million tons) produced. Yet pork production decreased 0.8 percent from 2010, whereas poultry meat production rose three percent, making it likely that poultry will become the most-produced meat in the next few years.

The report also says that production of both beef and sheepmeat stagnated between 2010 and 2011, at 61 million and 12 million tonnes (67 million and 13 million tons), respectively

.A breakdown of meat production by geographic region reveals the dramatic shift in centres of production from industrialised to developing countries over the last decade. “In 2000, for example, North America led the world in beef production, at 12 million tonnes (13 million tons), while South America produced 11 million tonnes (12 million tons) and Asia 9.1 million tonnes (10 million tons). By 2011, North America had lowered its beef output by 180,000 tonnes (200,000 tons) and was overtaken by both South America and Asia, which produced 14 million  and 15 million tonnes (15 million and 17 million tons), respectively.”

The United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) puts the slowdown in growth in industrial countries to rising production costs, stagnating domestic meat consumption and competition from developing countries.

Widespread and intense drought in China, Russia, the US and the Horn of Africa contributed to lower meat production—-and higher prices—-in 2010 and 2011. The combination of high prices for meat products and outbreaks of new and recurring zoonotic diseases – those transmitted between animals and humans – in 2011 curtailed global meat consumption.  In 2011 alone, foot-and-mouth disease was detected in Paraguay, African swine fever in Russia, classical swine fever in Mexico, and avian influenza (H5N1) throughout Asia. According to a 2012 report by the International Livestock Research Institute, zoonoses cause around 2.7 million human deaths each year, and approximately 75 percent of all emerging infectious diseases now originate in animals or animal products.

Many zoonotic disease outbreaks can be traced to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), also known as factory farms. These systems now account for 72 percent of poultry production, 43 percent of egg production, and 55 percent of pork production worldwide.

“Factory farming systems contribute to disease outbreaks in several ways,” says Danielle Nierenberg, report co-author and Worldwatch’s Nourishing the Planet project director. “They keep animals in cramped and often unsanitary quarters, providing a breeding ground for diseases; they feed animals grain-heavy diets that lack the nutrients needed to fight off disease and illness; and many CAFOs feed animals antibiotics as a preventative rather than a therapeutic measure, causing the animals—-and the humans who consume them—-to develop resistance to antibiotics.”

But not all livestock are reared in industrial or mechanised environments. Nearly one billion people living on less than US$2 a day depend to some extent on livestock and many of these people are raising animals in the same ways that their ancestors did.

“Lowering individual meat consumption would alleviate the pressure to produce more and more meat for lower and lower prices, using rapidly dwindling natural resources,” say Nierenberg and Reynolds. “Reconnecting meat production to the land and its natural carrying capacity, as well as reducing meat consumption, can thus greatly improve both public and environmental health.”

Further highlights from the report:

  • Over the last decade, meat production grew nearly 26 percent in Asia, 28 percent in Africa and 32 percent in South America.
  • In 2012, drought and corn crop failures continue throughout the United States, causing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to estimate that by 2013, beef will cost 4-5 percent more than in 2010, pork 2.5-3.5 percent more, and poultry 3-4 percent more.

A full copy of the report can be purchased here.