HEREFORD PRIME ANNOUNCES PREMIUM PAYMENT

Ken Wilson Meats are now paying a premium on eligible carcase supplied for the Hereford Prime programme. Left, production manager Campbell Preston, sales representative Warwick Hanlon and general manager Hamish Preston.

Hereford Prime beef processor Ken Wilson Meats Ltd has announced it is now paying a premium of 0.10 cents per kilogram on carcases meeting the criteria for their local trade programme.

Ken Wilson Meats General Manager Hamish Preston says demand for Hereford Prime is outweighing supply and they have launched the premium in a bid to secure cattle for the programme. Payment on qualifying cattle starts immediately.

The Wellington based processor contracts Taylor Preston Ltd to slaughter its local trade beef carcases for the Hereford Prime programme.

Ken Wilson Meats procure cattle from the lower North Island and in the South island Canterbury north.

However Hamish said to qualify for the premium payment farmers must meet all criteria including the cattle being pure-bred Hereford or first cross Hereford British breed.

Every individual carcass is assessed in the yards and then again for fat colour, meat colour, marbling and pH 24 hours after slaughter. A detailed report on all cattle meeting these criteria is then sent to individual farmers. 

“To meet those specs across the board for the Hereford Prime programme we want to encourage farmers to send us the right cattle,” says Hamish. “Our customers demand a top quality and consistent product which we achieve by adhering to these criteria.”

“We need more animals for the branded programme and there is capacity for growth.”

Hereford Prime chairman Laurie Paterson said it was great news that Ken Wilson Meats are offering a premium and he’s delighted that the oldest branded beef programme in New Zealand is able to offer NZ beef farmers a competitive choice.

To supply Hereford Prime and for full details on qualifying criteria contact Barry Sweeney on 06 3049701.