A new collaboration between agribusiness farmers and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) known as the Red Meat Profit Partnership is set to boost farmer productivity and profitability throughout NZ’s red meat industry.
The partnership is the latest programme under the MPI’s Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) which consists of a $64m sector development programme of which, around 50 percent will be funded by the PGP and the remainder by industry, sheep and beef farmers.
MPI director-general, Martyn Dunne says that the Red Meat Profit Partnership will enable the sector to gain ready access to best practice information, tools and support which will boost capability and foster sustainable growth.
“The Red Meat Profit Partnership is the most comprehensive collaboration across the red meat sector that has ever been undertaken,” says Dunne.
“The red meat sector is such an important contributor to our economy, and I’m excited at the potential of this market-led programme to lift productivity in the sector and provide valuable support to farmers and others involved.”
The Red Meat Profit Partnership will take place over seven years and comprises of four core projects including:
- Research and development of information requirements for different farm businesses
- Development and support of sheep and beef farmers and their advisors
- Capturing and benchmarking key business data to inform business decisions
- The development of technical resources
Dunne says that the Red Meat Profit Partnership will encourage more consistency in farm performance and profitability, as well as providing farmers with valuable information, resources and support to achieve greater efficiencies.
“The level of interest by the red meat sector shows the importance it places on ensuring the sustainability of the sector and the commitment to this exciting PGP programme,” says Dunne.
Malcolm Bailey, Partnership independent chair says that the will be getting underway shortly following the appointment of a general manager and the establishment of advisory structures.
“The partners, (including the likes of Rabobank, Alliance Group, ANZCO Foods, ANZ Bank, Beef + Lamb New Zealand) are well aware of the need to hit the ground running. There are many aspects to begin working on, but overall the key idea is to develop a deep understanding of how sheep and beef farmers want to receive and apply information that can drive the profitability of their business,” says Bailey.
“This is not about ‘telling’ farmers – but treating them as customers and placing them at the centre, delivering customised services that fit their farm needs, rather than a one size fits all approach.”
The programme will also consist of a range of pilot ‘extension programmes’ around New Zealand, where farmers, processors and advisors will trial techniques for delivering new information to support profitability.