Local co-operative Alliance Group is strengthening its presence in beef by entering a new premium supply partnership programme with AngusPure NZ.  

The new differentiated Angus programme encompasses the existing AngusPure domestic brand as well as a new Angus export brand that will be developed for the North America and Asia markets.

Farmers whose animals qualify for the brands with receive a premium.

“This partnership further strengthens our commitment to beef,” says Darren Drury, Category Director Beef, at Alliance Group.

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“We’re building a differentiated premium portfolio and increasing the value we create for New Zealand’s farmers by creating global supply programme opportunities. This exciting programme will also deliver enormous value to all those farmers using Angus genetics in New Zealand.”

The Angus programme builds on Alliance’s premium beef supply programme, from which the co-operative produces Pure South Handpicked Beef, 21 Day Aged Beef and the 55 Day Aged Beef, a gold medal winner at the coveted World Steak Challenge.

AngusPure NZ Director Guy Sargent says the partnership between Alliance Group and AngusPure New Zealand is a game changer for all Angus breeders nationwide, but especially South Island breeders. 

“Alliance and AngusPure share a common belief that quality should be rewarded. Not all Angus are equal, and Alliance will reward those suppliers who provide quality livestock. This is something the board of AngusPure has been working towards for some time.

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“This new programme also opens up another option to finishers right across the country for processing and there will be increased demand and premiums paid for cattle tagged with AngusPure Source & Trace ear tags.”

The animals will be processed and selected by specially trained accredited graders at Alliance Group’s Mataura, Pukeuri (Oamaru) and Levin plants.  

To qualify for the Angus programme, animals must be 100% grass fed and tagged with an AngusPure Source & Trace ear tag. The carcases must achieve a marbling score of 1 or greater, have fat and meat colour of 1 to 4 and a pH of 5.7 or less. All stock must be 245kg+, be antibiotic free and Farm Assured, meet the special raising claims programme and be NAIT tagged.  

The entire programme is for steers and heifers only and they must be at least 75% Angus - sired by a Registered or PRAC/APR Recorded Angus bull.

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The premiums will be 40 cents per kg from 1 May-31 October and 30 cents per kg from 1 November-30 April for carcases 270.1kg+. For carcases between 245kg-270kg, farmers will be paid 20 cents per kg between 1 May-31 October and 10 cents per kg between 1 November-30 April.

If animals meet the criteria for Allliance’s Handpicked Beef range, they will automatically receive the relevant premiums of up to $1 per kg. 

The AUS-MEAT Chiller Assessment grading system will ensure a robust and objective process and provide quality assurance for global customers.