They could be accused by farmers of overoptimism, but farming leaders remain upbeat about the future of red meat production, while warning that investment was needed in marketing and markets diversified. M&WNZ chief executive Scott Champion told a recent SFF sheep and beef forum in Gore the fundamentals for red meat remained strong, and the number of affluent customers who wanted to eat red meat was growing.

With the world’s population expected to hit eight billion by 2030, global food production needed to double, and Mr Champion said while NZ could not feed the world, it had to decide exactly for who it was going to produce food reports The ODT. The population in existing red meat markets was static or falling, so it was likely new consumers would be in China, Central Asia and Africa.

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M&WNZ is calling for applications for funding for the Wool Enterprise Programme, which aims to help entrepreneurial wool businesses lay the platform for growth. The Wool Enterprise Programme is a funding initiative that was developed by the Wool Industry Network before it ceased operations, and will be overseen and managed by M&WNZ. “The programme is aimed at market-driven smaller wool industry initiatives from New Zealand farmer grower groups and manufacturers with strong links to farmer groups,” says M&WNZ Chief Executive Officer Dr Scott Champion.

Businesses may apply for up to $100,000 of funding. This funding must be matched 50:50 with funding from the applicant group. “The Wool Enterprise Programme is not designed to fund promotional projects. Instead, it offers general business mentoring and skills development and helps companies access industry networks. The focus is on improving returns to wool growers through developing general business capabilities, industry knowledge, and strategic and market planning skills. “The objective is to help produce sustainable and high performing companies that are ready to attract investment and achieve international success.”

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