Latest news with #redmeat
RNZ News
22-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Dropping livestock numbers dominate red meat sector event
File photo. Photo: 123rf New Zealand red meat exports earned an extra $1.2 billion this year, due to good livestock pricing and tighter supplies. But the country's $10 billion red meat sector has raised the alarm that it was struggling to get the numbers of livestock through the meat works it needed to feed hungry international consumers. More than 300 red meat producers, processors and marketers gathered in Ōtautahi for the Red Meat Sector Conference on Tuesday. While import tariffs into key market the United States and subdued consumer demand in China were top of the agenda, the surity of livestock supply underpinned the sector's concerns for a resilient future. The latest figures from StatsNZ showed the national sheep flock and deer herd were continuing to decline. Industry group Beef and Lamb New Zealand's chairperson Kate Acland told the event, carbon farming on productive land under the Emissions Trading Scheme was driving the significant reduction in livestock numbers. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay speaking at the Red Meat Sector Conference in Christchurch on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ/Monique Steele "New Zealand currently faces over-capacity in the processing industry," she said. "We have more plants and more processing lines than we have livestock to sustain them efficiently and it risks getting worse. "The drop in stock numbers represents a lost opportunity. We owe it to farmers to face this challenge head on." She said greater collaboration among competing companies was a sensible strategic approach. "If we want a future-fit industry, we need to be bold about optimising capacity and about how we collaborate," she said. "The fall in stock numbers is particularly frustrating because at a time when there's strong demand globally and high export prices, our processors have not been able to capitalise on this. "Our exports would have been hundreds of millions higher if the supply had been there." The conference came during a time when the country's only farmer-owned red meat co-operative Alliance Group was preparing a case of private investment for its farmer-shareholders to vote on in the coming months. Alliance announced the decision to shut its historic Smithfield meat plant in Timaru in October, amid dropping livestock numbers, particularly breeding ewes, with 600 people losing their jobs. Farmers were getting record prices for beef, however they were driven in part by good demand amid tighter supplies. File photo. Photo:/File via CNN Newsource Furthermore, New Zealand imported a near-record volume of beef from Australia in June, as processors worked to secure greater volumes to match meat plant capacity. Meanwhile, Todd McClay, Minister for Agriculture and Trade and Investment, said the Government was working to "get Wellington out of farming" to enable primary sector growth, and bring value back to the farmgate. "We want to reduce regulation and cost on farm," he said. "I reckon it's a great time to be a farmer in New Zealand at the moment. "As there are challenges fronting up around the world, geopolitics, tariffs, protectionism, and so on, the world still needs high quality, safe food. "And you don't get higher quality of safer food anywhere in the world with a wonderful carbon footprint story to tell." He said the government invested in the $8 million Taste Pure Natire campaign with industry to strengthen red meat's position in China, to drive better returns for farmers and processors. StatsNZ figures showing sheep numbers dropped three percent in 2024 to 23.6 million sheep, while deer numbers dropped 4 percent between 2023 and 2024 to 709,000. However, the beef boom has kept stock numbers relatively stable rising one percent in the last year to 3.7 million beef cattle. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
22-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Red meat sector 'frustrated' at 'lost opportunity' in failing to fill meat plants and feed hungry global markets
File photo. Photo: 123rf New Zealand red meat exports earned an extra $1.2 billion this year, due to good livestock pricing and tighter supplies. But the country's $10 billion red meat sector has raised the alarm that it was struggling to get the numbers of livestock through the meat works it needed to feed hungry international consumers. More than 300 red meat producers, processors and marketers gathered in Ōtautahi for the Red Meat Sector Conference on Tuesday. While import tariffs into key market the United States and subdued consumer demand in China were top of the agenda, the surity of livestock supply underpinned the sector's concerns for a resilient future. The latest figures from StatsNZ showed the national sheep flock and deer herd were continuing to decline. Industry group Beef and Lamb New Zealand's chairperson Kate Acland told the event, carbon farming on productive land under the Emissions Trading Scheme was driving the significant reduction in livestock numbers. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay speaking at the Red Meat Sector Conference in Christchurch on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ/Monique Steele "New Zealand currently faces over-capacity in the processing industry," she said. "We have more plants and more processing lines than we have livestock to sustain them efficiently and it risks getting worse. "The drop in stock numbers represents a lost opportunity. We owe it to farmers to face this challenge head on." She said greater collaboration among competing companies was a sensible strategic approach. "If we want a future-fit industry, we need to be bold about optimising capacity and about how we collaborate," she said. "The fall in stock numbers is particularly frustrating because at a time when there's strong demand globally and high export prices, our processors have not been able to capitalise on this. "Our exports would have been hundreds of millions higher if the supply had been there." The conference came during a time when the country's only farmer-owned red meat co-operative Alliance Group was preparing a case of private investment for its farmer-shareholders to vote on in the coming months. Alliance announced the decision to shut its historic Smithfield meat plant in Timaru in October, amid dropping livestock numbers, particularly breeding ewes, with 600 people losing their jobs. Farmers were getting record prices for beef, however they were driven in part by good demand amid tighter supplies. Furthermore, New Zealand imported a near-record volume of beef from Australia in June, as processors worked to secure greater volumes to match meat plant capacity. Meanwhile, Todd McClay, Minister for Agriculture and Trade and Investment, said the Government was working to "get Wellington out of farming" to enable primary sector growth, and bring value back to the farmgate. "We want to reduce regulation and cost on farm," he said. "I reckon it's a great time to be a farmer in New Zealand at the moment. "As there are challenges fronting up around the world, geopolitics, tariffs, protectionism, and so on, the world still needs high quality, safe food. "And you don't get higher quality of safer food anywhere in the world with a wonderful carbon footprint story to tell." He said the government invested in the $8 million Taste Pure Natire campaign with industry to strengthen red meat's position in China, to drive better returns for farmers and processors. StatsNZ figures showing sheep numbers dropped three percent in 2024 to 23.6 million sheep, while deer numbers dropped 4 percent between 2023 and 2024 to 709,000. However, the beef boom has kept stock numbers relatively stable rising one percent in the last year to 3.7 million beef cattle. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
These Are The Healthiest Types Of Beef You Can Eat
Beef gets a bad rap. Yes, red meat is high in saturated fat and if eaten in excess it can increase the risk for heart disease and contribute to issues like obesity, cancer, and diabetes. But beef is also a great source of protein and iron, and it can contribute to a healthy diet if you choose the right type and limit your intake to three portions per week. The key is buying lean cuts, which contain less than 10 grams of fat per serving. Registered Dietitian Angel Luk recommends looking for options with the least amount of saturated fat. "The amount of saturated fat is an important consideration for people living with high cholesterol," she says. "Generally speaking, aiming for less than 16 grams of saturated fat a day is a heart healthy approach. Lean cuts of red meat, such as round, sirloin, or loin, are lower in saturated fat and can be part of a healthy diet, providing important nutrients such as iron, zinc, B vitamins and protein." Beef can only be labeled as lean if it complies with the regulations set by the USDA, so check the package for the special marking. It's different from the grading label producers use (for example, when you see a cut marked as "Prime" or "Select"), which has to do with marbling. The key words you're looking for are "lean" or "extra-lean". You can ask your butcher for a guide to different cuts too. Read more: Costco Vs Trader Joe's: Which Store Sells The Best Ribeye Steak? Avoid Marbling And Processed Beef While marbling leads to delicious flavor, unfortunately, it does not contribute to a healthy heart. Prime doesn't equal lean, so even the most expensive T-bone and porterhouse steaks should be avoided. Go for Choice and Select cuts, which are typically cheaper. "Select beef tends to be the leanest," Luk explains, "making it a better choice for people opting for red meat as part of their saturated fat 'budget.'" Some lean cuts include chuck roast, shoulder roast, and arm roast, which all benefit from slow cooking. You can smoke chuck roast or cook a pot roast in the oven with any option. As for steak, sirloin tip side is the leanest option, with just five grams of fat per serving, but top sirloin makes for an unbelievably juicy steak. Anything with less than five grams of fat is considered extra-lean by the USDA, and if you can get something organic or grass-fed, even better. As for ground beef, look for the lowest fat percentage you can find, like 95% lean. The big thing to really avoid is anything that is ultra-processed. "Ultra processed beef such as hot dogs and sausages, and cuts with high amounts of saturated fat like ribeye with a lot of visible marbling are the least healthy," Luk suggests. You can treat yourself once in a while, but if you want to watch things, make sure it's lean beef in your rotation. Read the original article on Tasting Table.
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Not all farmers back Alliance's foreign investment plans
A group of South Island sheep and beef farmers are urging others to vote against a proposal for foreign investment in the red meat cooperative Alliance Group, which is the only 100 percent farmer-owned meat processor in the country. A series of financial losses in recent years has seen the board aim to raise $200 million dollars in new capital from the private sector. Some media reports have suggested an Irish meat supply group, Dawn Meats, is a contender. Alliance Group chair Mark Wynne says details are commercially sensitive but it's in the advanced stage of assessment, and Alliance is working towards confirming a preferred option to take to shareholders to vote on. Dave Pinckney's family has farmed Glenaray station in the Waikaia valley, for 127 years and supplied AGL for 60 years. Kathryn speaks to him about why he and a group of shareholders are urging other farmer suppliers to vote against any external capital which would change the ownership structure of Alliance. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I've lost over 4st on Mounjaro in 6 months but 4 no-go foods cause eggy sulphur burps like you can't imagine & diarrhoea
A MOUNJARO user has revealed the four foods she has to avoid whilst using fat jabs. Savvy mum Vic has been on Mounjaro for just over six months and has lost 4 stone 2 lbs. 5 5 She still has another 3 stone 7 lbs to lose to reach her goal weight, but throughout her weight loss journey has discovered four foods that have had adverse side effects. Not only does her once go-to favourite dinner now give her diarrhoea, but it also causes eggy sulphur burps like you can't imagine. Posting on social media, Vic got candid on the foods she has stopped eating whilst taking Mounjaro, leaving many gobsmacked. Fried food First things first, Vic confirmed that she avoids greasy, fried foods, as they can cause 'unsolicited side effects.' She claimed that digestive systems 'slow down significantly whilst on Mounjaro', and as a result, she tends to avoid takeaways and anything too heavy. Not only this, but she claimed that when she eats fried foods, it 'feels like there's somebody fighting you in your stomach from the inside.' Red meat While steak used to be Vic's 'go-to meal,' now it is a 'no-go' for her. She claimed that red meat, particularly steak, is 'difficult to digest', but with Mounjaro thrown into the mix, has caused her 'a few problems.' Vic acknowledged that after eating steak whilst on the fat jabs, she has experienced 'diarrhoea, major stomach cramps and sulphur burps like you can't imagine.' Dense carbs As well as this, according to Vic, heavy, dense carbs, such as bread, naan bread, chips and jacket potatoes, are no longer in her diet whilst using the fat jabs. She stressed: 'Anything like that causes me havoc the next day - I smell like I've [eaten] six rotten eggs if I have anything heavy and dense in carbs.' Spicy food And it's not only naan bread that Vic can't have when getting a curry, as spicy foods are also a no-no. She once 'loved spicy food' but now claimed: 'Nope, doesn't work now for me - the aftermath is just not worth it.' Since being on Mounjaro, Vic has learnt that keeping her diet 'lean and clean is the only way forward.' As a result, now she focuses on consuming lean protein, vegetables, fiber and plenty of water. Not just foods - f izzy drinks are out too Not only are these four foods out of the question, but there's also drinks that Vic avoids too. I blow up like a pufferfish if I have anything fizzy Vic The once 'Red Bull girl and a Prosecco queen' revealed that fizzy, sugary drinks are also not an option for her. While Vic used to love guzzling fizzy pop, now she 'can't handle' it. Instead, she focuses on drinking three to four litres of water a day, as she added: 'I blow up like a pufferfish if I have anything fizzy.' Mounjaro users react The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ rural_vic, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 181,700 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 2,762 likes, 205 comments and 445 saves. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. Other Mounjaro users were thankful for Vic's advice and eagerly raced to the comments to express this. One person said: 'Great advice thank you. I am six weeks in and not lost this week so [I'm] not happy, trying to get some tips.' Another added: 'This is spot on advice!! Pork is another difficult food to digest that can be really awful.' A third commented: 'Been on it a year, five stone off and 10.2mg now and totally agree with the fried foods.' Meanwhile, someone else gushed: 'Thank you! You've helped beyond measure!!' 5 5
