January 27, 2021

Alliance group launches wagyu beef programme for New Zealand farmers

The Alliance Group, New Zealand's largest farmer-owned meat cooperative has launched a premium Wagyu beef offer to New Zealand farmers to raise the value of their products and fulfil customer demand in international marketplaces, Radio New Zealand reported.

Alliance will team up with Southern Stations Wagyu, which will offer the generics from its Australian based Red Wagyu bulls to New Zealand farmers.

Farmers have the opportunity to sign a supply contract for the cattle with a minimum 50% red or black Wagyu genetics. Both are different breeds of Japanese cattle known for high intramuscular fat content and marbling ability.

Those who participate in the programme stand to receive premiums of between NZD 0.40 to 3 (~US$0.26 to US$1.98; NZD 1 = US$0.66) per kg above schedule price if the cattle reach certain specifications. These include marbling, pH levels, fat colour, and meat colour.

Darren Drury, Alliance category beef director, said the US, China, and other Asian markets have expressed interest in New Zealand Wagyu.

Drury said New Zealand Wagyu is heavily marbled because the cattle was intensively farmed through grain feed systems and raised on pasture.

He said farmers who join the progamme now will have fully grown Wagyu in three years, adding that a big part of the programme is educating the farmers about it and what they will need to do on the farm that is different.

-      Radio New Zealand