The majority of farms have both sheep and beef cattle, which complement each other in pasture-based grazing systems. Some farms also run deer or have arable crops. This diversification reduces the business risk associated with a single enterprise. All sheep and beef farms are run on low input pasture grazing systems, sometimes supplemented with hay, silage and fodder cropping. This low cost system enables New Zealand farmers to supply high quality pasture-fed meat and wool to world markets at competitive prices.
Meat processing is a strongly competitive industry.
There are a number of other companies that process for the local market only, and several smaller exporters. Beef Beef exports are still dominated by frozen manufacturing beef exports to North America, but other markets are growing in importance. Asian markets, in particular, are looking for young, tender, grass-fed beef.