BULLETIN ISSUE 24: Winter 2019
STATE OF THE NATION – FROM A MILE UP! By Tony Egan
I may have the look of an old bull these days, but I can assure you there is a sensitive young bull inside wondering what the hell happened to my world. When did the sheep jokes stop being funny…except in Australia? When did everything become 50 shades of grey? When did our industry become too big for the climate? Ten years ago the only thing worse than a pale stale male was a mad cow, which you could argue balances the argument to some extent. These days it turns out the cows were more to blame than we thought, and the economy is in fact a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment. It’s looking pretty bleak for all of us except the whales ... and it’s not all gin and tonic for them either since the ice started melting. This dilemma is worthy of an expletive, but before you respond with one F word, let me introduce you to another, flexitarian. This panacea involves less meat and half the fun but is apparently going to save the world. An impossible situation I agree, made worse by Mohamad Ali ‘impossibility is just someone’s opinion, not a fact’ and the evidence is an ‘Impossible Burger’. This Synthetic Food makes the extraordinary seem ordinary, turning Frankenstein into Langbein. They’re fighting dirty, telling us its clean … antimicrobial, carbon friendly, healthy for rivers and sustainably synthetic. However, meat lovers are not taking
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this lying down. First the ties came off, then the suits, and now it’s ‘taste pure nature’. We have gone a la natural … in tune with mother nature, and there’s no uranium on our breath. This meat lovers rebellion resembles a 60’s revival group … first stop California – where grass is now legal and ours is being peddled pure ‘clean and green’, with just a sprinkle of palm kernel. It’s positively edible, it’s got intrinsic attributes with label claims that will blow your mind and even better or … is that worse … it’s good for you. The hippies are now greenies, they hug trees instead of each other, in a world full of alternatives we have found a ‘conscious foodie’, and we plan to milk them faster than a dairy cocky at dawn. With all this hot air, it’s little wonder that things have got a little over heated in mother nature’s kitchen. The gas is escaping at an alarming rate, and the words ‘pardon me’ will no longer suffice. Jacinda has laid down the gauntlet to Donald, and he is tweeting back, ‘can I have a burger with those fries’, to which she cries we’re ‘not the best country in the world, but the best country for the world’. We must ‘lead follow or get out of the way’ … or in the case of China, Huawei … and that means making things 10% smaller, including methane. The primary industries great minds have heard this rallying cry: The wine guys felt we were all in silos … but did point out that this was not necessarily a bad thing in their industry!
Some in the forestry sector thought the urban/rural divide was a fire break and are still trying to work out how global warming manages to get across! The seafood team felt rather cool having admitted they weren’t perfect in an ad campaign! The dairy guys liked the idea of having Ritchie on their team … didn’t he retire?! And the meat industry guys … well these big boys came dressed as inspector Clouseo and kept saying ‘Amberger’ … when the rest of us were trying to add value! All very helpful stuff … when your bach is on the front lines … Unfortunately, since that episode of the Simpsons where Mr Burns ate the three-eyed fish, nobody seems to believe us anymore. They just want their healthy rivers back. Everyone can see horizon one … and the taller ones can totally see horizon two … they’re telling us that horizon three could end up somewhere between Mad Max and the Martian. They think the affable Mr Magoo has been doing a better job when it comes to a clear vision for the future. Clearly, we need to come up with NZ’s unique position, perhaps something that can drive us forward together. A story that resonates both at home and abroad that our descendants will talk about for decades to come. In short, we need to collaborate more vigorously than we ever have before. And, we need to be more fertile... continued on page 3
GENE EDITING: IS IT RIGHT FOR NEW ZEALAND? In the previous two articles on this topic, we explored the current situation for gene editing technology both in New Zealand and abroad. Gene editing holds great promise for many issues that we face, but it is not without its significant downsides. While it is not Greenlea’s intention to take a stand on either side of the argument, our purpose is to draw attention to this topic that needs to be debated within our society in general and specifically as it applies to our primary products. New Zealand, as a small country, would seem best suited as a producer of consumer-led niche products with high value. Our provenance story must resonate with these affluent consumers. It must include a message of natural, sustainable production that has recognised integrity and transparency. The big question is whether sustainable includes gene editing. How will millennials view genetic modification? Will they embrace this technology as a means to counteract climate change? Or will they see it as “Frankenfood” … something to be avoided to ensure health and wellness? 97% of all GM food crops are grown in the Americas (North and South). However, a survey of US adults found that half of Americans think GM foods are worse for one’s health and 56% believe that genetically modified foods
will create problems for the environment. A number of major global brands have gone non-GM. The list includes Dannon, Arla (one of Europe’s largest dairy co-ops) and Lidl (a supermarket chain with 11,000 stores in Europe). Domestically, a number of meat and dairy companies market their product as GM free. New Zealand is one of the only dairying countries in the world that has not approved release of genetically modified crops. Of importance to the argument is the significance of combatting climate change. While the majority of consumers are presently opposed to consuming GM products, they are also concerned about the increasing effects of global warming. The New Zealand Zero Carbon Bill was recently introduced into Parliament. The bill proposes targets of zero nitrous oxide by 2050 and up to a 47% reduction of methane by 2050. Gene editing may prove to be the best solution for conforming to these goals while still maintaining profitable farming businesses. The question that we must all address … will the ends justify the means?
PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR FUTURE Greenlea is committed to doing our part to ensure our earth’s resources are protected and sustained for future generations. We are embarking on a journey to develop a sustainable business policy that includes all facets of our business including paper and plastic packaging, water use, electricity, and procurement. You can help by choosing to have your invoices emailed to you instead of sent via the post. Hundreds of invoices are mailed each week, and the cost to the environment is not just the paper but the fuel required to deliver that envelope to your address. Please consider switching to electronic delivery of your invoices. Invoices can be sent to multiple parties, so you can nominate your accountant, farm manager, and/or farm advisor as well as yourself. If you would like to make the switch, please contact our Livestock department on 0508 GREENLEA.
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continued from page 1 ...than the Irish during lent. ‘Potatoes, potatoes, potatoes’ I hear you say … where did ‘Origin Green’ come from … and I agree their new ditty has a certain nasal quality to it ... as George Orwell once said ‘to see what’s in front of someone’s nose requires a constant struggle’ ….the Irish might be lucky … but sooner or later they will catch a cold … and that’s when Taste Pure Nature … with a few lessons Maui has taught will guide the way. You see the answer is under our nose and our ancestors do want us to lead not follow … if we listen to their wisdom we can put the meat back into NZ’s sausage. There’s a saying that ‘you are half way to solving a problem when you acknowledge you have one’. Well when you get to my age you can add a further challenge ‘All I have to do now is convince my Doctor that it hurts’. I could start by telling him that I’m heading towards a reputational crisis … that the environment … and my middle age spread is not my fault! That I’m spending too many resources duplicating activities … that industry bodies are malignant not benign … that Feds is short for fed up! The doctor gave me a bedpan … when it was really a pan sector solution that would stop the pain … I told him I just wanted something to share my disruptive and emerging trends with
the rest of you! I ask myself … am I being brutal enough about what could ‘knock us over’… now that I can’t seem to knock anything else off! NZTE told us the answer was to take a deep breath and share our ‘open hearts, open minds, open spaces’. At my age of forgetfulness you could add open zippers to that list! MPI thought the Red Meat Profit Partnership was the cure we were all looking for, but let me remind you of the Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894 when the world’s greatest minds assembled in New York worried about what horses were doing on the roads. They left empty handed only to be wrong footed by the motor car that arrived just in time to change the world. Ironically, we have ended up back in the shit ... so our greatest minds are at it again! When I was a younger bull I thought I had all the answers … my missis soon corrected me and these days I am inclined to agree with George Bernard Shaw who said …’he knows nothing and thinks he knows everything’. The answer must lie in innovation … that rush of blood that saw the zipper replacing the button, but just as often solutions can be a slow grind, an evolutionary process, with each iteration taking us further from the great apes. We evolve collectively
to meet the demands of a changing world, and like Henry Ford, in the knowledge that a prototype is worth 100 meetings. We can’t predict the future with total accuracy but we can do better than Mr Magoo … we can create a world leading position. Over the last two weeks, I have visited the IFFA trade show in Germany and the Sial trade show in China looking for answers. On the flight over, I braced myself first with a glass of bubbles and then a bottle of half-decent Bordeaux. I was ready for the Impossible Burger to make its entrance at 30,000 feet but all I found on offer was a tasty beef cheek. The hot air appears to have dispersed a little for now, and the demand for our products wherever I went gives me great hope for the future. There appears to be some life in the old bull yet! My adversary might be a new generation that resembles a form of socially networked mutant that can’t swim but votes for healthy rivers, that lives in cities but want animals to be happy just like their pets, and that preaches sustainability with a mouth full of takeaway. They may be a younger generation clearly further from the primates than me, but they have instincts none the less and together, I’m convinced, we can eat meat and change the world.
MUDGEY’S COLUMN Just back from 10 days in Bali with my dearly beloved Janny - 30°C days and $4 for big bottles of beer accompanying NZ equivalent $5-6 meals. A great little get away but the real take home message was one of their favourite sayings “same, same, but different!” Our Founder always says, “if you do the same thing, the same way, you will get the same result.” Sure, all processors look the same, but you certainly don’t get the same results. A lot of cattle all look the same, but they are quite different! Brand them clearly, before they go on the truck. Weather patterns and grass growth certainly aren’t the same with some crazy changes in some
regions in the last six months. We might all have the same farm but a certain amount of change is coming down the line very quickly. Rest assured Greenlea will work with you to assist. Interesting flow of cattle in the last five months; bulk of cows came early and they just keep coming. North Island prime kill is very close to 10% ahead. Store replacement cattle, especially yearling bulls and 18 month heifers have been extremely buyable in the last 2-3 months and we can see a huge hole appearing for killable cattle August/ September. Kill values could be sound if you can hold a few, but pelt values are well back with seconds almost valueless. The big boss, Tony, and marketing gurus, Mike and Richard, are just back from two weeks in Europe and China so come and have a chat with them at Fieldays – get the first hand run down! Same site, same format! Coffee will be hot and our Greenlea Butcher Shop ambassador chef, Marc Soper, will be cooking up tasty samples each day. See you there!
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WE’RE COUNTING ON YOU Bigger, faster, fancier rescue chopper takes to Taupō skies
SO THEY CAN COUNT ON US Whilst 50% of our annual operating costs are covered by way of our government contracts, we rely heavily on the generosity of our local community to fund the $550,000 shortfall that allows us to be rescue ready 24/7, 365 days of the year.
With great fanfare and excitement, the new Greenlea Rescue Helicopter touched down at Greenlea Premier Meats in Hamilton last month, so staff could get an up close and personal encounter. A bigger, faster and fancier version of its predecessor, better patient outcomes are likely with the purpose built twin engine BK117, Phillips Search and Rescue Trust secretary David Wickam said. It’s been geared with “state-of-the-art” avionics, extra space and a glossy green exterior. The helicopter is “superbly well equipped” for the Taupo- region, which tends to be a bit of a hot spot for people getting into trouble, Wickam said. In 2018, the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter carried out 299 rescue flights. Taupo-, especially, is a region of dense bush, cloudy skies, rough terrain, snowy mountains and remote areas.
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It all adds up The business of running a world class rescue helicopter service comes with a multitude of hefty price tags. These are just a few of the things your donation could help us fund:
“It is more challenging conditions by virtue of the combination of the topography and altitude.” The chopper’s new avionics - with iPhone type display systems - will help with the tough conditions, Wickam said. “It’s designed to assemble and display the information in a way that makes it easy for the pilot, reduces workload - because these guys fly on their own and there’s a lot happening.” Greenlea is the principal sponsor of the helicopter as the rescue helicopter has become “part of its DNA,” Wickam said. “We are absolutely thrilled with the new helicopter and its smart new look. The staff certainly enjoyed its stopover at the Hamilton plant on the way to its new Taupo- home. The entire Greenlea team takes great pride in being able to contribute to this lifesaving service.” said Tony Egan, managing director, Greenlea Premier Meats.
Pilot and crew helmets
Winch harness
ventilator
$1,200
$2,800
$3,500
jackets
$700 Flight vests for crew
Rescue Winch
$2,000
$275,000
Winching basket
$2,500
bauman bag
$1,800 stryker stretcher
$10,000 Night vision goggles
$18,000
defibrillator
Winch cable
$44,000
$10,000
The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter is dedicated to serving the central North Island community 24/7, 365 days of the year. Thank you to Greenlea Premier Meats and their farmers for continuing to support the lifesaving service of the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter. You’re helping us touch the lives of many people.
Discover more and donate today rescue.org.nz | @rescuehelicoptersNZ |
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