Reviewing our recent farmer events around the country and looking ahead to next year's events
Page 2
A glimmer of light but caution still required
Economist Cameron Bagrie talks about the economy and the importance of productivity.
Page 6
We understand that farming is tough and that the weather is the main factor of when stock are finished, however, the purpose of the Advantage rewards programme is to try get a better estimate of supply so we can better match capacity, and eventually the efficiency gains will be met with better outcomes for all in the future. Points are awarded to those who can more accurately estimate supply numbers and timing for stock to ANZCO to improve this efficiency of our processors and better match supply curves in the long term.
How do the Gold & Silver levels work?
Premium Lamb Contract
Gold Tier
NZFAP accredited NZFAP Plus 10 points per lamb 20 points per lamb
Silver Tier 5 points per lamb 10 points per lamb
GFNB & Aleph Contracts
Gold Tier
NZFAP accredited NZFAP Plus 100 points 200 points per cattle
Bull, Angus, PSH Contracts
Gold Tier
NZFAP accredited NZFAP Plus - 100 points
How do I earn points?
Delivering contracted lambs in full (the contracted volume)
On-time (in the specified weeks)
In accordance with contract specifications
Meeting ABF/100% grass-fed and NZFAP standards
If you are Gold status, with a lamb or cattle contract - to earn points you must supply the contracted amount of stock eitherside of the weekly committed timeframe. Disclaimer: Those who are NZFAP Plus accredited are currently being offered DOUBLE Points alongside the 10c NZFAP Plus Premium.
Log in to check your points balance and redeem. www.anzcoadvantage.com
The statistics are sobering. There have been 123 fatalities in the agricultural industry since 2011 and 12 alone in the year from July 2022 to June 2023.
In WorkSafe’s 2024 Strategy, they’ve highlighted the ag sector as one of the high-risk industries that it will focus on.
I recognise that talking about health and safety doesn’t always get you a warm welcome but ANZCO Foods has been working on an app that makes it easier for you – and us – to meet our responsibilities on farm. And as you can see from the information above it’s an area that needs our collective focus.
Health and safety has a compliance aspect to it, but at its heart it’s about looking after people and that’s what drives us.
ANZCO Foods has a joint responsibility with you where our employees and contractors go on your farm – so for ANZCO Foods this covers livestock reps and drivers in your yards and on your yard’s access road.
We’ve been working with Onside, an app that captures information about inductions as well as making any hazards and risks available to visitors to your farm.
The requirement to capture and share this information is not new;
it’s just that Onside provides an easy way for us to do this.
We’ve been using Onside on our farms for a couple of years now and recognised it could be useful for the joint areas of responsibility on our producers’ farms.
We’ve rolled out the app to our reps and we’ll be making it available to farmers and transporters from early 2025. We’ll be providing support as part of the roll-out. There’s more information on Onside on page 4.
Kind regards,
GRANT BUNTING General
Manager Systems and Supply, ANZCO Foods
Reviewing our recent farmer events around the country.
Partnering with Onside
5 INTERNSHIPS AT ANZCO Meet Rose, Livestock QA Assurance Advisor at ANZCO Foods
6 A GLIMMER OF LIGHT BUT CAUTION STILL REQUIRED
Update from economist Cameron Bagrie
8 CHRISTMAS DELIVERY WITH ADVANTAGE
Spend your hard earned points. Last chance for xmas delivery.
10 GLOBAL MARKET UPDATE
How our global markets have played out.
13 MEET YOUR REPS
Introducing Daniel and Ross
14 HELICOPTER HELPS FAIRLIE FARMER
Westpac Helicopter saves Andrew Hurst's leg.
15 ANZCO FOODS BUTCHER APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Celebrating the ambassadors of our industry.
16 AGRIZERONZ ANNOUNCES NEW INVESTMENTS
Announcement of three new investments and a new partner.
18 SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES
Cranford hospice, Safer Farms and Surfing for famers..
20 THE LATEST FROM ANZCO FOODS
What we've been up to recently.
The definition of chewing the cud is about thinking and talking reflectively and that’s exactly what happened at our four Chew the Cud farmer events held around the country in the middle of the year.
Vangelis Vitalis Deputy Secretary Trade and Economic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade opened the sessions discussing trade agreements and the role farm assurance programmes have during these discussions. These programmes provide credible verification by ensuring New Zealand farms are implementing best practices and resource management.
Economist Cameron Bagrie, known for his straight-shooting economic updates, talked about the current state of play in New Zealand, what is happening in economy and gave insight on how producers can navigate these challenges.
These two guest speakers provided good context for New Zealand’s agricultural sector.
With the challenges people are facing on farm Matt Chisolm –author, journalist, TV presenter and farmer – and farmer and FarmStrong rep Marc Gascoigne shared their stories including their experience in managing mental wellbeing. Their stories highlighted the importance of
producers looking after their mental wellbeing on farm.
ANZCO managers talked about the company’s performance and gave a global market update, while the Quality Assurance team shared information about the NZFAP Plus process and the support ANZCO and its associates are providing to help farmers achieve certification. See right for more information.
"ANZCO Foods is committed to helping its producers achieve NZFAP Plus accreditation by connecting you with resource and support from farm software systems, consultants and technology", says Erika Bergmans ANZCO Foods Livestock Quality Assurance Manager. “Our associates have offered services and subscriptions at a discounted rate for ANZCO producers to help support your NZFAP Plus progress and work towards your audit to achieve accreditation.”
ANZCO Foods is also offering financial benefits for NZFAP Plus certified suppliers until further notice. It was great to see so many
producers attend the Chew the Cud events; the feedback was overwhelmingly positive:
· One of the best events ANZCO’s ever had.
· Although brutally honest it will help us with our future planning.
· Great event, really good speakers. Couldn’t have done it better.
· We really needed this now. The timing couldn’t have been better.
· Well done, great event and value from the associates.
· We particularly enjoyed Cameron Bagrie’s talk and found it encouraging in these tougher farming times to really concentrate on the finer details of our operation.
In collaboration with our associates, ANZCO Foods is offering support and discounts for ANZCO suppliers, in particular those engaging with NZFAP Plus. Please contact the Quality Assurance (QA) Team if you're interested and would like to know more: QAadmin@anzcofoods.com
Our partners:
We would like to thank the associates who attended the events and supported our producters in 2024.
ANZCO Foods is supporting the future of our farmers through connection and verification. Access specialised support with your NZFAP Plus membership and connect with like–minded farmers at our free, bespoke sessions across the country.
Kicking off at the end of February 2025, ANZCO is hosting sessions in the locations shown on the map.
Register your interest now
Registration is essential to confirm your attendance due to limited spaces. Non-ANZCO suppliers can attend at a cost of $1,125. Register your interest to attend and we will get in contact.
Scan the QR Code to register, or go to: anzcofoods.com/nzfap-plus
Any company, whose employees and contractors come on to your farm, has joint health and safety responsibility with you for the area their staff visit while they’re on your farm.
For ANZCO Foods this means we have joint responsibility with you for the loading facilities and entrance ways that are accessed by our livestock reps and contracted truck drivers.
ANZCO Foods is working with software company Onside to roll out an app to help you and us manage this process more easily by enabling our producers to capture new hazards and risks, as well as being able to see who is arriving on your farm.
While these are not new health and safety requirements; Onside provides a solution that makes it easier for all of us to meet our responsibilities. ANZCO has partnered with Onside to provide an ANZCO version of the app which focuses solely on our joint areas of responsibility (yards and yard access); and it’s free for all our producers.
At a high level there are two things that you need to be able to demonstrate:
That you have an induction process and have captured who’s been inducted
That you have a way to inform people coming on to your farm of existing hazards and risks
ANZCO Foods will be rolling out Onside from early 2025 and provide support to help you to use this solution.
DID YOU KNOW
The most common injuries in agriculture are trips/falls on the same level and that August is the month with the most sector injuries?
I studied a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing at Lincoln University (graduated this year but finished my degree end of last year). I discovered the summer internship at the Lincoln Food and Fibre awards where ANZCO had a stand at the networking evening. I spoke to one of the women there and showed my interest and she essentially got me the intern role.
I started off my internship in 2022 in the logistics department where we got an in-depth overview of the business and how each aspect operates, whilst working with the logistics team and spending a little bit of time with the livestock team. I then finished working with logistics and went into my third year of studying and got another internship role, but as a Livestock Administration intern. This intership was an outstanding opportunity for me to expand my connections and work alongside great people who helped me grow. I especially enjoyed learning about the various supply programmes ANZCO has, such as NZFAP and NZFAP Plus which sparked my interest and passion to work in a space supporting farmers with their sustainable practices.
My current role is now working with the Livestock QA Team as a Quality Assurance Advisor, where I am the key contact for ANZCO's livestock supply programmes, including NZFAP Plus. This means I ensure that ANZCO's livestock suppliers meet all the QA requirements relevant to market standards and support stakeholders to improve compliance outcomes. I was recommended to apply for the role while I was overseas and accepted the offer when I arrived back in New Zealand.
Each summer ANZCO Foods offers a range of paid internships across our business to give tertiary students experience and work exposure at a busy and vibrant corporate office. In some cases interns have gone on to take up permanent roles within ANZCO Foods.
We have our interns for 2025, if you are interested in finding out more for 2026, email: HRServices@anzcofoods.com and let them know:
CHECK-CIRCLE Your area of study CHECK-CIRCLE The dates you’ll be available during the summer
CHECK-CIRCLE Why you’d like to intern at ANZCO Foods
The small print: The number of internships and the areas they are available changes each year so internships may not be available in every area of the business every year.
The glimmer of sunshine is around the corner, and for the economy too, supported by lower interest rates. Commodity prices have lifted, and the New Zealand dollar has receded.
Eye fillet steak is now $60 per kilogram at my supermarket though I suspect the supermarket is the main beneficiary. Is salvation at hand? With interest rates falling faster than previously expected, that sets in play a key ingredient for economic revival in 2025 after a poor 2024. Various leading indicators such as ANZ’s Business Outlook survey and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion are showing positive signals from what we call the “soft” or leading data, which flows into hard data. Concurrent measures such as heavy traffic volumes have yet to turn.
EYES ON THE MAIN PRIZE
It’s welcome but do not accept the allure of complacency and “she’ll be right”. That mantra has dogged New Zealand for decades. While the economy is getting back on track, the track is bumpy, worn and frail. We are facing a legacy of unaddressed issues, and many are coming to a head.
The health system is strained. We are seeing rising energy costs and failed to recognise gas as a key transition mechanism. Trading partners are demanding we step up when it comes to climate change if we want market
access. Carbon farming is an important transition mechanism, but trees do not reduce gross emissions and afforestation has challenges. Over-capacity in the red meat industry has been known for decades. We still suffer from road-coneitis. Two hundred thousand students took the last day of term three off. Local authority regulation needs reined in. There is lots to complain about.
Vangelis Vitalis, our chief trade negotiator talks about the end of the golden era for trade. The world is fragmenting. The Chief of the International Monetary Fund recently warned the world economy is at risk of a low-growth malaise, and this is resulting in increasingly dissatisfied populations, and we are seeing it in election results. This drives division and disunity when the world needs unity.
Some are comparing the 2020's with the 1920's. There is a lot to dwell on.
In the words of Monty Python though, “Always look on the bright side of life”.
The government of the day is doing an excellent job putting New Zealand back on the map, reconnecting with existing trading partners and developing new ones.
"While the economy is getting back on track, the track is bumpy, worn and frail. We are facing a legacy of unaddressed issues, and many are coming to a head."
We have an aspiration to double exports in a decade. Admirable to have a goal. The focus needs to be on how we can produce more stuff (volume and value), the infrastructure around it, and not just market access though. Water is a key enabler. The Tukituki Water Security Project, formerly known as the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme, has been revived, and is an example of what we need.
Security is now a theme when it comes to international trade, across food, energy and technology. We need to define our strategy.
The truth about capitalism is that you need the tough times occasionally. Good businesses take over weak ones and they turn them into better ones. It drives better business practices. I hope the economy does not lift too much in 2025 and we take the easy road.
The NZD has become more export friendly of late and long may it last. With large twin deficits (current account deficit of -6.7% of gross domestic product and a sizeable fiscal or government deficit), and exports now 4 percentage points lower as a share of the economy than it was 5 years ago,
"Agriculture shows growth in productivity of 2% per year. The economy wide average for the past decade has been 0.2%."
we need an export supportive currency.
Agriculture shows growth in productivity of 2% per year. The economy wide average for the past decade has been 0.2%. When we shrink agriculture and exports compared to the economy, productivity gets dented.
Banks are under the spotlight with the Finance and Expenditure Committee Bank Inquiry. This is welcome. New Zealand will not get rich selling more expensive houses to each other. New Zealand’s economic ledger has become increasingly unbalanced, as the banking regulatory regime favours formula lending to houses over more skilled and complicated cashflow lending to businesses and farms. This has been exacerbated by a low-risk bank culture and limited competitive pressures which has stifled innovation. According to the OECD “Empirical research suggests that productivity benefits of financial deepening are realised via business lending, rather than household lending”.
The OECD’s economic assessment for New Zealand in 2022 also had some pretty pointed comments to make about management and governance.
“Managerial practices in New Zealand lag behind other advanced OECD economies, holding back the adoption and effective uses of digital technologies.”
· “Management boards in New Zealand’s firms are often more focused on preserving existing value and regulatory compliance than on growth strategies that involve productivity-enhancing investments and international expansion.”
New Zealand has turned the corner. But sugar-candy variables such as lower interest rates, while welcome, will not offer the substance we need to move forward. Productivity offers the substance, and the finger can only be pointed at the government so far.
Redeem your Advantage points this Christmas and treat the whole family to an array of wonderful gifts. From pizza ovens and barbecues to jewellery and fishing rods - you’ll find something for everyone in our rewards shop www.anzcoadvantage.com
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In the November 2023 edition of the Advantage magazine I was brave enough to make some predictions for the year ahead, so I thought it timely to look back at what those predictions were to see how I fared.
After thorough review and consideration, I'm giving myself a pass on my crystal ball gazing…although probably more like a B- rather than an A+…but I think the trends we were foreseeing around our global markets and across our global industry largely played out as expected.
One of those predictions was that China would improve in 2024.
I did note however, that this was more hope-based given the importance of the Chinese market to our wider industry, rather than having any great insights as to how things might play out from an economic or consumer perspective.
I also gave myself the flexibility of stating that any recovery would be slow and that it would be late 2024 before those first green shoots started to appear. As of today, we are certainly seeing some green shoots, but they have yet to lead to any meaningful growth beyond that which would give us a huge amount of hope of a meaningful recovery heading into the first half of 2025.
The Chinese government is also clearly concerned about the trajectory of the economy and has made noises lately around stimulus and incentives to drive more confidence in the property market and more consumption generally. This may provide an important turning point for this critical market for New Zealand beef and lamb.
When it comes to consumption, Chinese New Year will be a key determinant for the remainder of 2025.
On the supply side of the equation, we expect to see tighter supply of domestic and South American beef within the Chinese market. This will help bring inventories back into line with historic norms.
Price pressure for beef out of the US will also force the hands of many of our Chinese customers when it comes to improving their bids if they want that consistent supply for the next 12 months.
The lamb market will likely be slightly harder to remedy, with continued strong domestic production keeping a lid on
"As of today, we are certainly seeing some green shoots, but they have yet to lead to any meaningful growth beyond that which would give us a huge amount of hope of a meaningful recovery heading into the first half of 2025."
potential price increases for New Zealand product. Ultimately, for lamb, we need to see Chinese consumers rebuild confidence and start spending more money eating out, because the majority of our sheepmeat is consumed in the foodservice sector.
The second prediction from last year was that the US would run out of beef.
To be honest, I feel like I have been making that prediction for the last three years!
Once again, I will claim I didn’t get this prediction wrong, but it certainly has been a slower burn than I had expected. While there were hopes that good rains would return in 2024, in actuality drought still remains a major factor across many parts of the key cattle producing states, and this is continuing to drive liquidation of the domestic herd.
That in-turn is keeping domestic production artificially high, even though we're seeing the lowest beef cow herd in the USA since 1961, the lowest beef replacement heifer number since 1950, and the lowest calf
numbers in the US since 1941. All I can do therefore is ‘cut and paste’ my prediction from last year for next year.
It still seems inevitable that we’ll see growing demand and higher prices for our beef out of this important market in 2025. Despite that, it feels like patience may still be required.
Increased supply out of Brazil will no doubt keep a lid on prices during the first quarter of the year, so I would expect that it won’t be until the summer grilling season across the US before we really start to see things heat up, figuratively and literally.
Another prediction from last year's magazine was that interest rates and inflation would remain a headache for us all in 2024.
It has certainly been welcome news to see the economic pain in New Zealand start to have an impact on inflation and for the Reserve Bank to adjust interest rates accordingly, and the consensus seems to be that this trend will continue as we head into the New Year.
That can only be good news for business in New Zealand, including
ANZCO Foods, as well as for the farming sector, which I know has been doing it tough.
From a sales and marketing perspective, the expectation of more cuts to interest rates in the US is yet another reason to be upbeat about our prospects in that market. However, it feels like Europe and Japan will not necessarily be remedied quite as easily, and I would predict that these markets will still be a struggle when it comes to consumption patterns for the majority, if not all, of 2025.
At a slightly more academic level, in the last November’s edition I proclaimed the beginning of the end for plant-based protein. I think that has largely played out. The category has certainly been very quiet in 2024 and any news there has generally been bad. At the end of the day the products this sector is producing need to be cost-competitive and, even more importantly, taste good, and the general consensus from consumers around the world is that the range on offer today doesn’t tick either of those boxes.
With that said, it is important
for our industry to not become complacent and believe that this competitive threat is gone forever. There are some amazing initiatives underway around the world in this alternative protein space that we need to be aware of, and always be wary of the threat that the next generation of offerings will present us with.
I also suggested that while the climate change debate would certainly not go away, the tone of the conversation might change to one that is slightly more favourable towards our industry. I'm sure people could argue either side of the case on this one, but in my opinion, it does feel like the fantastic work New Zealand farmers are doing to care for our animals, land and natural resources is being better recognised.
From a customer perspective, the topic of climate change and carbon emissions remains the proverbial ‘elephant in the corner of the room’.
No one seems to quite have the silver bullet that provides the answer everyone is looking for.
The key for us at ANZCO Foods is to continue to engage constructively and proactively with those customers who do have an interest in this area and who want us to be innovative and do more to reduce our carbon footprint. So long as we are not burying our heads in the sand, the majority of our customers are willing to listen to our side of the story and do recognise the challenges we face and the great work that has been done and will continue to be done to ensure we remain the most sustainable beef and lamb industry in the world.
My final prediction from this time last year was that the inaugural ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand race back in March would be a fantastic success. It was, and we are already well advanced in our planning to make the 2025 edition
even bigger and better. We have some 20 ANZCO Foods’ employees signed up to participate in next year's race as well as four of our farmer-suppliers, which I'm very excited about.
Our ultimate goal with our IRONMAN partnership is to give us another way of communicating with New Zealander's about how fantastic your products are and how important lamb and beef are to everyone’s nutrition and good health. That goal won't be achieved in one or two years – it's got to be a long term and consistent strategy to keep reminding New Zealander's about what we do and why we’re here, and the fantastic work that you as farmers do every day to ensure that the world’s finest form of protein, iron, zinc, and B12 is available for them to enjoy.
The team at ANZCO Foods is committed to that long term journey, and I thank you for your hard work, which makes our job so much easier when telling that story.
"it's got to be a long term and consistent strategy to keep reminding New Zealander's about what we do and why we’re here, and the fantastic work that you as farmers do every day to ensure that the world’s finest form of protein, iron, zinc, and B12 is available for them to enjoy."
Meet a couple of our Livestock Representatives Each issue we will introduce you to two Livestock Reps
Canterbury Representative
I have been with ANZCO Foods for almost 7 years and have been involved in the New Zealand farming industry my whole life.
My career with ANZCO began as a livestock cadet on an eight month training programme, designed to develop my understanding of the business as a whole. After graduating the cadetship, my passion for working with farmers to secure only the best livestock led me to become a livestock representative.
When it comes to selecting cattle and lambs for ANZCO Foods, Daniel handpicks them after feeling the tail, loin, and ribs to get a gauge of meat and fat cover. This is a critical step as it ensures the stock meet the ANZCO quality standards, providing our customers with only the best.
The most enjoyable part of my job is getting out on farm and being able to help New Zealand’s finest farmers make the most out of their business, while also ensuring ANZCO receives stock of the highest quality.
I grew up on a dry stock farm in Taumarunui – farming and stock handling are in my blood.
From a young age, being out on the farm drafting stock was my happy place. I hated school and the highlight was having a day off to go to sales. So, at the young age of 14 I left school to work on the farm and other surrounding farms as well as the sale yards.
Also at 14, I bought a Poll Dorset Stud and evolved it. Winning many championship titles, I was the youngest ever Poll Dorset Breeder in New Zealand.
I knew I had a natural eye for stock, so in January 2003 I became a stock agent, a job I am still passionate about 21 years later.
I joined ANZCO Foods in 2011 as the King Country buyer. I take exceptional pride in the role, delivering the best stock and doing the best I can by my clients. It’s stressful at times, but most of all it's rewarding, and I wouldn’t change any of it. I have met so many good buggers in my job with ANZCO, these farmers are the backbone of our country.
Andrew Hurst runs a sheep and beef farm close to Fairlie in the South Island’s Mackenzie District.
In June 2019, Andrew had just returned from a bull auction and was driving his 2-wheeler round his farm; everything seemed to be in order, and it was time to head home but in a split second he was under a Hilux he hadn’t seen coming from the other direction.
Initially in a state of shock Andrew didn’t realise the extent of his injuries and tried to wriggle out on his front. Fortunately, a worker on the farm called 111 and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched.
Tatsu, the Intensive Care Paramedic on duty that day said that at the scene, he was literally holding Andrew’s leg together; it was completely shattered. “We put him on to a temporary cardboard splint, but it soon became drenched in blood, we looked at applying a tourniquet but knew that while it would stem the blood flow it would also significantly increase the chance of Andrew losing his leg.”
When Tatsu met Andrew at the base several months after the accident, he was astonished to realise Andrew had kept his leg and soon Tatsu was admiring the surgeon’s handiwork.
Andrew spent many weeks in Christchurch and Burwood Hospitals where he had 16 surgeries and his leg is now much improved. Andrew is pragmatic; it was an unfortunate accident that could have happened to anyone. He feels so grateful he got the level of skill he needed and that the Rescue Helicopter arrived so quickly.
As a testament to Andrew’s resilience, he has since become an ambassador for the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust. Through his role, he shares his story to raise awareness of the importance of the service especially in more remote areas, where medical care is less easily accessed. He has also organised fundraisers for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in Fairlie, supported by his local farming community.
The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, with the help of the community, supports two Westpac Rescue Helicopters in Canterbury and a ROA Mining Rescue Helicopter on the West Coast. These three helicopters cover 600,000 people from Kaikoura to Waitaki and Karamea to Haast. This life-saving service, operated by GCH Aviation, runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week and flies around 1000 missions each year. The highly trained crew attend accidents, medical events, search and rescues and hospital transfers.
(Critical Care
“We put him on to a temporary cardboard splint, but it soon became drenched in blood, we looked at applying a tourniquet but knew that while it would stem the blood flow it would also significantly increase the chance of Andrew losing his leg.”
Thanks to our donors, the paramedics and pilots have access to the best training and equipment available. All the helicopters are now equipped with ultrasound and mechanical CPR machines to give patients the best chance of survival and recovery. And, Instrument Flight Rules technology and training is being implemented enabling the helicopters to fly in low cloud and attend up to 20% more missions.
Search and rescue is also a key element of their work and accounts for around 12% of missions. The crews receive special training in avalanche and bush survival to ensure they’re equipped to handle these types of events.
ANZCO Foods is proud to support the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust and the good work it does in our local communities. If you would like to support the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust please visit: www.airrescue.co.nz
It’s all too common to hear negative comments about working in industries like ours. We’ve all heard them too: it’s hard to get good workers; it involves long hours and it’s a tough physical job.
That’s why these events run by Retail Meats New Zealand (RMNZ) are so important. They counter all these perceptions and celebrate the exact opposite.
In September, ANZCO Foods recognised the talent and expertise of the young people who are demonstrating their passion for the work they do just as much as their skills.
These young professionals are ambassadors for our industry, and its events like the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice that help attract future stars and demonstrate it can be a fun and rewarding career.
ANZCO would like to congratulate all the contestants on reaching the finals of this highly competitive event and to acknowledge the amazing job they did to showcase their expertise
in not only the final, but also in the regional events that were held across the country.
As one of New Zealand’s largest exporters, ANZCO Foods is proud to support this special event alongside RMNZ. With nine red meat processing and manufacturing facilities throughout New Zealand and more than 3,000 employees, we are genuinely invested in the future and the success of this industry.
New Zealand’s Farmers are world renown, and ANZCO is honoured to work with them to carefully craft a range of New Zealand’s finest beef and lamb products.
It’s the care that is at the heart of creating products that brings nutrition and good health from New Zealand’s finest beef and lamb.
Events like the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year provide a great platform for ANZCO to showcase these products through the talent competing.
Retail Meat NZ are true advocates of the industry. The work they do is critical to growing and developing the pool of talent in the meat industry. ANZCO are proud to be affiliated with them and we congratulate the team at RMNZ who have done a fantastic job organising and hosting this event yet again.
The focus, effort and commitment the participants put into this year’s competition was remarkable, we look forward to celebrating next year’s event and talent.
AgriZeroNZ recently announced three new investments and a new partner.
Lucidome Bio ($8.5m) – a new company setup by AgriZeroNZ to progress the next phase in New Zealand’s pioneering methane vaccine research
Ruminant BioTech ($4m) – following an initial investment of $1.8m in 2023, AgriZeroNZ announced another investment in the Kiwi company to accelerate commercialising a methane-inhibiting bolus specifically suited to New Zealand’s pastoral farming system
Agroceutical Products NZ ($400k) – NZ-based joint venture developing a methane inhibitor for cattle from a daffodil extract. Lab trials conducted on artificial rumens showed a naturally occurring compound from daffodils, haemanthamine, may be effective in reducing livestock methane emissions when consumed as a feed additive. The daffodil’s methane-reducing abilities will be put to
the test at Lincoln University where animal trials are planned for early next year. You can read more about all these investments on the AgriZeroNZ website: agrizero.nz/news
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) is the latest business to join the growing line-up of private sector companies backing AgriZeroNZ, alongside government, to get emissions reduction tools into Kiwi farmers’ hands faster.
The bank has invested $4m to support these efforts, and Hon Todd McClay, Minister for Agriculture and Trade confirmed the government would match this, boosting AgriZeroNZ’s funds by $8m to total $191m.
BNZ joins The a2 Milk Company, ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZCO Foods, ASB Bank, Fonterra, Rabobank, Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms and Synlait with a combined 50% shareholding of the joint venture (JV). The government continues to own half through the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
ANZCO FOODS IRONMAN® NEW ZEALAND
ANZCO Foods IRONMAN
New Zealand is just around the corner and ANZCO has 20 staff members and four of our farmers competing in the iconic event on 1 March 2025.
We're passionate about bringing nutrition and good health from New Zealand’s finest beef and lamb. It’s at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to play a role in getting people over the finish line with the
quality of protein, zinc, B12 and iron that only beef and lamb provides.
If you are keen to give it a go in 2026 let us know.
WāNAKA SHOW
Come and visit us at the Wānaka Show, 7-8 March 2025, site I3.
Show zones are different this time, you can find us in the teal section under rural/livestock/wool.
We'll be cooking up delicious ANZCO Foods' beef and lamb, with
1. Visit us at the Wānaka Show or SI Fieldays
2. The support crew at ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand
reps on site for you to have a yarn with. Learn about ANZCO Foods in a fun and engaging way, shoot a few hoops and test your strength.
SOUTH ISLAND FIELDAYS
If you can’t make it to Wānaka join us in Christchurch for SIAFD on 26 – 28 March.
We'll be cooking up a storm and livestock reps will be available to catch up with. Keep an eye out on the farmer update and socials for our site details.
Our 2025 theme – Finding the Balance – is designed to provide women in agriculture with tools that enhance their skillset, are inspiring, and support prioritising personal wellbeing, as well as building valuable connections.
In 2025, we’ll be hosting two conferences to minimise travel costs and make it easier for people to attend:
• 20/21 May 2025 in Christchurch
• 26/27 May 2025 in Napier
Register your interest now so together, we can support our rural community to Find the Balance.
You don’t know how much you need them, until you need them. Hawke’s Bay Livestock Rep James McRae knows first-hand the good work Cranford Hospice does in the community.
The experience made such an impact on James he volunteered his time to set up a livestock donation scheme so Hawke’s Bay farmers can support Cranford.
James was brought up in a farming family and he’s still heavily involved in Hawke’s Bay’s farming community having worked as a livestock representative in the region since 2005.
James’ first personal experience with Cranford Hospice was in 2019 when a family member was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
“I knew what Cranford was, but not the in's and out's of what it does. I thought it was a place you go to die. Simple as that, but my perspective changed quickly. The support provided to our family from Cranford was invaluable. From pain management and home visits to the support and advice provided to family members and caregivers.
“It was reassuring to know the team from Cranford was only a phone call away. You know the end is coming, but you don’t know what the end looks like. The team at Cranford was unreal, guiding us, the family, through the process,” says James.
After the huge impact Cranford made on James and his family, he wanted to increase awareness within the rural community and help raise much needed funds.
James used his in-depth knowledge
“Livestock donation is an easy way to help Cranford Hospice support friends and family in our community navigating a terminal illness. We value and thank you for your ongoing and generous support; this helps us to make a difference to people and whanau within our community,”
of the farming industry to devise a new way for farmers to support Cranford. Livestock donations allow farmers to donate stock when they’re sending animals to be processed or sold.
Last year, Cranford Hospice –which covers from Mahia to Takapau – cared for 696 people in their homes, 122 in the inpatient unit in Hastings, and provided 759 people with counselling and bereavement support.
“Livestock donation is an easy way to help Cranford Hospice support friends and family in our community navigating a terminal illness. We value
and thank you for your ongoing and generous support; this helps us to make a difference to people and whanau within our community,” says Carol-Ann Stubbs, Development and Engagement Director for Cranford Hospice.
Making a livestock donation is quick and simple for Hawke’s Bay farmers; here’s how it works:
All you need to do is book the stock you wish to donate as a separate line with your livestock representative and fill in an ASD form with Cranford’s details.
The meat processor or livestock firm will pay Cranford directly for the stock you donate.
Once Cranford Hospice receives the donation it will issue you with a donation receipt, so you can claim a tax credit of 33.33 cents for every dollar donated.
To start donating livestock to Cranford Hospice, you will need to register. There’s more information on the Cranford Hospice website: Farming for Cranford - Cranford Hospice
This simple Livestock Donation Step-by-Step Guide provides more information to ensure the process goes smoothly.
From 2019 to 2023, there were 22 quad bike-related fatalities in New Zealand, with most involving rollovers and steep grades.
ANZCO Foods supported a Safer Farms initiative to help farmers install crush protection devices (CPDs) on quadbikes.
More than 150 farm businesses received vouchers through a Safer Rides’ pilot scheme which encouraged farmers to make their existing quad bikes safer by applying for a heavily discounted CPD through a redeemable voucher to the value of $400.
The initiative was spearheaded by Rabobank and led by Safer Farms,
Farming is an all-consuming business so now more than ever it’s important to get off farm and connect with others.
As we head into summer you might like to join the thousands of other farmers who take to the water, to learn a new skill, get off farm and connect with other farmers over a barbie.
Last summer farmers and growers engaged with Surfing for Farmers 8000 times, 2000 more than the year before.
Around 300 sessions took place at 27 locations across the 13-15 week season.
With Surfing for Farmers all the equipment, lessons and refreshments are provided so everyone can benefit from it regardless of their financial situation.
All skills levels are welcome at Surfing for Farmers and you don’t have to have any surfing experience. The only thing they ask is that you’re a capable swimmer and are comfortable in the sea.
with support from ANZCO Foods, LIC, Craigmore Sustainables, PGG Wrightson, FMG Insurance, Silver Fern Farms and retailers Trax Equipment and Quadbar.
Safer Rides is part of Safer Farms’ Farm Without Harm strategy, designed to prevent harm from New Zealand’s farming systems.
Quad bikes are an integral part of the job for many farmers and installing a CPD on an existing vehicle can make it a safer option for anyone using the bike.
Crush protection devices provide space underneath an upturned quad bike by spreading the bike’s weight giving the rider space for survival or allowing the bike to roll off the occupant.
Safer Farms says there’s a big job ahead to make safety devices more widely available for those who want them and it will continue working with its programme partners to implement a long-term plan.
Each session starts around 5.30pm and then you surf for as long as you like.
You can see this year’s Surfing for Farmers venues and register at their website: surfingforfarmers.com
ANZCO Foods is proud to support these Surfing for Farmers locations: Taranaki, Opunake, Central Hawke’s Bay, Sumner, Gore Bay, Hickory Bay, Dunedin
Here’s what farmers say about taking part: "It’s a lot of fun and gets you off the farm
doing something healthy. Your mind is totally on what you’re doing, and you’re not thinking about work at all."
"After surfing, talking to everyone is awesome. Everyone is on a high talking of their thrills and spills. I learnt a new skill and I love it."
"I am fitter and healthier. I look forward to it every week. Plus I surf other days with people I’ve met at Surfing for Farmers."
"Great to get off farm and forget about the day’s work."
We've been busy during the past few months connecting, sharing and learning, here in New Zealand and around the world.
ANZCO Foods has received its Toitū carbon reduce certification following our 2023 audit. In March the fifth audit was completed for the 2023 emissions from our New Zealand sites.
This was the first year of being audited under the new standard, which incorporates the entire value chain (rather than the previous organisational boundary) and as a result we have seen an increase in our reported emissions.
Joel Gabites, ANZCO Foods General Manager Commercial and Business Improvement, visited the Christchurch
City Mission with a donation of burger patties recently.
These patties will go in food parcels that the City Mission distributes to families in need and they said their team is happy to know they can provide quality protein to these families. We've created some recipes using our mince that you could make into patties or try the following: anzcofoods.com/nutrition-andgood-health/recipes/
We’re honored to support and celebrate the exceptional restaurants who entered the
Greenstone Creek Metropolitan Restaurant of the Year Award.
Congratulations Koji Restaurant in Wellington which won the category. We also congratulate the talented chefs using our Greenstone Creek product who were recognised in their respective categroies and awarded hats at the 2024 Cuisine Good Food Awards, including Palate, Mr Morris, The Bistro Taupō, Floriditas, Jervois Quarter and Tītī St Claire.
Two ANZCO Foods’ teams – the Beef Cheek Bandits and Lamb Shank Redemption – joined 19 other teams from Canterbury businesses
ANZCO Foods was named a finalist in the Large Producer Award category at the 2024 World Steak Challenge
in November to take part in the Maia Foundation’s Amazing Raise to raise funds for Kahurangi, the regional Youth Mental Health outpatients facility.
The teams took part in a number of challenges around the city including mini golf, kart racing, axe throwing and a cryptic crossword and raising more than $100.000 for the facility which is opening in late November 2025.
ANZCO Foods received seven medals across three of its premium beef brands at the 2024 World Steak Challenge in Amsterdam, announced on 1 October, with the company also being named a finalist in the Large Producer Award category.
ANZCO Foods’ Stony River Black Angus sirloin received a gold medal as well as bronze for its ribeye, Greenstone Creek received silver medals for its tenderloin and ribeye and a bronze for its sirloin, and Ocean Beef received a silver medal in the tenderloin category and bronze for its ribeye.
“We are very pleased to receive another gold medal in these prestigious awards for the fourth year in a row,” says ANZCO Foods General Manager Sales and Marketing, Rick Walker.
“We’re also delighted to have been announced as a finalist in the inaugural Large Producer Award, which recognises large-scale beef producers who demonstrate excellence in quality, sustainability, innovation, and industry leadership.
“These results reflect the hard work and commitment of our farmers and the expertise of our processing teams – both essential for producing
world-class beef,” says Rick.
“The awards support ANZCO Foods’ goal to bring nutrition and good health to the world through New Zealand’s finest beef and lamb, as well as providing an excellent eating experience for our consumers and chefs around the world.”
The annual World Steak Challenge has been running since 2015, with beef
City Mission employees Andy and Kirsty. 3. Our Greenstone Creek meat at the 2024 Cuisine Good Food Awards 4. ANZCO Foods Beef Cheek Bandits and Lamb Shank Redemption at the Amazing Raise.
producers and suppliers from around the world showcasing their best product on the international stage.
All steaks are judged by a panel of more than 80 independent experts, with the world’s best steak, along with the winner of the Large Producer Award, announced at the formal award ceremony in London on 11 November.
