We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.World news: Keeping you in touch with what's happening overseas
Our regular farming round-up from across the globe.
ARGENTINA
Beef imports may be needed
ARGENTINA may soon be forced to import beef to keep meat-loving citizens supplied.
Although government efforts to keep meat affordable have allowed Argentines to consume record amounts of beef this year, it has come at the expense of a dwindling number of domestic producers.
Cattle ranchers, with little or no profit left in meat, are selling out, even slaughtering the cows needed to maintain their herds.
The Associated Press
AUSTRALIA
Record prices for mutton
MUTTON has set record prices in the past week, overtaking the per kg paid for cattle at livestock sales around the country for the first time.
The Australian Financial Review reports the mutton price rally comes from the combination of a dwindling national sheep flock and growing demand for sheep meat for export, particularly from the Middle East.
Sheepmeat Council of Australia executive director, Ron Cullen, said: “Sheep prices will be higher for some time to come. Late last week, the mutton indicator was around $2.90/kg (£1.61) carcase weight, some 70 cents above last year’s rate.
farmonlinr.com.au
AUSTRALIA
Lamb production stops
IN Bordertown Tatiara Meat Company’s workforce of 400 was told not to come to work last Friday as high stock prices and a high Australia dollar brought a halt to export lamb production.
theage.com
NIGERIA
‘Improve efficiency’ plea
THE president of one of the country’s most successful companies has urged farmers to improve their skills and efficiency. Animal Care Services Konsult’s Dr Olatunde Agbato, also called on banks to make more money available for farmers to invest in their poultry enterprises.
Compass News of Nigeria
NEW ZEALAND
Alliance’s tip-top earnings
ALLIANCE Group easily had the best earnings profile of New Zealand’s three big meat processing and marketing companies reporting results.
It was more profitable than AFFCO Holdings in terms of operating margins and return on equity and invested capital. Both were well ahead of Silver Fern Farms.
Alliance increased its sales by 16 per cent to $1.49 billion (£0.66bn) over the year, and is the biggest processor of lamb. Silver Fern remains the biggest company by turnover, with a 2 per cent increase to $2bn (£0.89bn) in sales. AFFCO’s sales were steady at $1.08bn (£0.48bn).
The New Zealand Farmers Weekly
