We meet a number of these people in this year’s issue of Heartland Beef including Canterbury farmers Brent and Anna Fisher.
I was fortunate enough to interview the couple and it was interesting to note that, while they run a large cattle stud, they never once mentioned their genetics. Their focus entirely was on how the beef industry can remain viable in the face of increasing competition.
The Fishers know too well that unless there are people willing to finish beef calves there will be no industry. They are determined not to let this happen.
To this end they have undertaken trials finishing early-weaned crossbred hill country calves at just 14-months. Read how they did it on page 40.
This issue also profiles two farmers who have somehow integrated the dairy industry into their beef business. Among them is the Ewen family (page 45) from Gisborne, who leave their best bull calves entire to be sold to dairy farmers at their local calf sale.
The Hickling family, also of Gisborne (page 50), use Jersey bulls across their first calving heifers and thanks to hybrid vigour find the calves do extremely well.
Cow fertility and calf growth rates are the real profit drivers of the beef industry. We talk to experts on ways these can be improved.
In the marketplace opportunities are opening up for New Zealand beef, particularly in Asia, and beef producers look set to gain if the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks result in trade barriers being scrapped.
One of the more unlikely competitors in the global beef trade is India.
Sacred cows it seems are not that sacred after all with India now being the second largest beef exporter globally (page 12).
Similarly, Indians are big consumers of meat and the idea that all Hindus are vegetarians is a fallacy.
It’s a fascinating story – and just like the rest of Heartland Beef – well worth a read.
