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E-diary notices: 22 September 2023

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Decisions on low-slope map encouraging but more work needed

Changes to the stock exclusion regulations are promising, however Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Federated Farmers and Deer Industry New Zealand say further changes are needed to make the regulations workable and to give farmers certainty.

Consider regulations when sowing winter forage crops this spring

Farmers and contractors sowing winter forage crops this spring are being reminded about Intensive Winter Grazing regulations and encouraged to contact their regional council if they have any questions.

Rural issues debate a great success

The Rural Issues Debate, held last week at the Mystery Creek Events Centre near Hamilton, generated a lot of robust discussion and feedback.

Bouncing back from tough times

Never waste a good crisis. This was one of the messages from the first of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s webinar series ‘Sow, Grow and Thrive; bouncing baa-cck from tough times.’

E-diary notices: 15 September 2023

Rural mental health support available, Differentiated Slaughter Levy changes for TBfree programme, Applications open for Value Chain Innovation Programme

Kiwi farmers need science-led methane review

B+LNZ, along with Federated Farmers and DairyNZ, has been working with leading climate scientists from Oxford University, to inform a submission to the Climate Change Commission on New Zealand’s methane targets.

Preparing for a dry summer

Predicted El Nino patterns could mean dry conditions along the east coast of both Islands this summer, but early decision-making and simple management strategies can help ensure farmers protect the performance of their capital stock.

Government responds to feedback on low-slope map

The Government has announced some changes to regulations after its recent consultation on potential changes to the low-slope map for stock exclusion. While some positive progress has been made, B+LNZ will continue to push for further changes.

Celebrating Māori Language Week

B+LNZ is joining Aotearoa in celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week), which kicked off on Monday and runs through to Sunday 17 Hepetema (September).

E-diary notices: 8 September 2023

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Consultation on deferring ETS reporting obligations

The Government’s latest consultation – the Deferral of NZ ETS reporting obligations for animals-farmer activities – relates to its recent announcement about agricultural emissions pricing.

Finalists announced in 2023 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards

After a robust judging process, Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is pleased to announce the finalists in the 2023 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards.

Politicians to go head-to-head on primary sector policy at Rural Issues Debate

Leading figures from the major political parties will be grilled on their primary sector policies at the inaugural Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton on 14 September.

Land-use change impacting livestock numbers and rural communities

Land-use change continues to have an impact on livestock numbers, according to a study by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).

Metabolic diseases affecting calving beef cows

Grass staggers (hypomagnesaemia – magnesium deficiency) or milk fever (hypocalcaemia – calcium deficiency) can affect beef cows around calving and can be caused by both dietary factors and high levels of potassium in the soil.

Changes to Action Group support

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) National Extension Programme Manager Olivia Weatherburn is encouraging Action Groups throughout the country to continue their positive work, despite annual funding coming to an end on 30 September.

Meat meets global micronutrient requirements

Meat plays a vitally important role in the global food system by providing humans with several bioavailable micronutrients poorly supplied by plants.

E-diary notices: 1 September 2023

B+LNZ and MIA release Briefing to Incoming Ministers, It’s World Iron Awareness Week, Save the date: Rural Issues Debate livestream on 14 September, Applications open for Value Chain Innovation Programme

Red meat sector: agriculture must be central to NZ’s economic strategy

New Zealand’s red meat sector is calling on the future Government to put agriculture and the production and export of beef and lamb at the heart of a new economic strategy.

B+LNZ’s consultation submission on ETS changes

We’ve provided the Government with our views on its proposed changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme. We argue the Government needs to get the balance of its policy settings right and introduce limits on offsetting long-lived gas emissions through carbon farming.

Preventing losses to metabolic diseases at lambing

Metabolic diseases such as Sleepy Sickness (Pregnancy Toxaemia), Milk Fever (hypocalcaemia) and Staggers (hypomagnesaemia) can cause significant ewe losses around lambing, particularly when ewes are under stress in bad weather or yarding events.

Celebrating the next generation of NZ’s Food and Fibre Sector

The recent Lincoln University Food and Fibre Awards showcased the bright young minds who aspire to enter New Zealand’s red meat sector workforce.

E-diary notices: 25 August 2023

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Beating bloat in orphan lambs

The addition of yoghurt to cows’ milk or milk replacer can put an end to the abomasal bloat that is all too common in artificially-reared lambs.

Rural mental health top of mind this Mental Health Awareness Week

The upcoming Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 September) provides an opportunity to talk about one of the biggest concerns of rural New Zealand and highlight the support available.

Government agricultural emissions announcement

This email was sent to farmers on 21 August 2023.

E-diary notices: 18 August 2023

Have your say on M. bovis consultation, B+LNZ’s 2024 Parasite Management Calendar, feedback on ETS consultations, AWDT Escalator programme.

New Zealand red meat sector dismayed at Government’s latest agricultural emissions announcement

The arbitrary deadline set by the Government for pricing agricultural emissions has no justification given the sector’s progress in reducing emissions and the scale of issues that still need to be addressed, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

Over 81m Chinese consumers learn about NZ grass-fed beef and lamb

Taste Pure Nature recently wrapped up its seasonal campaign with the popular Chinese recipe and cooking app, Go Kitchen, which reached over 81 million people.

Why our website looks a bit different

This week the upgraded B+LNZ website went live. We had to upgrade the site because it used old technology, and while we were doing this it made sense to make some cost-effective improvements.

B+LNZ calling on farmers for groundbreaking research: we need your sheep poo

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers to take part in a groundbreaking Facial Eczema research project by collecting sheep poo.

B+LNZ underlines need for flexible regulations at APEC

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Chair Kate Acland and B+LNZ Senior Trade Policy Advisor Nick Jolly were invited to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Third Senior Officials’ Meeting in Seattle, Washington this month.

Reviving newborn lambs

The frequent cold snaps moving up the country are challenging newborn lambs, but an injection of dextrose can be a lifesaver for cold or weak lambs.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand releases independent report on ETS options

With consultation on potential changes to New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) closing today, Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has released an independent report on whether changes are needed to the ETS and if so, what these should be.

E-diary notices: 11 August 2023

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Tickets on sale for B+LNZ Awards Dinner

Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards Dinner being held at Christchurch’s Te Pae Convention Centre on Thursday, 19 October.

Red Meat Sector Conference 2023: driving sustainability and growth

Over 300 processors, farmers and industry professionals gathered at the 2023 Red Meat Sector Conference in Auckland, hosted by B+LNZ and the Meat Industry Association. The discussions focused around the theme of ‘Driving sustainability, value and growth’.

Managing cash and feed to get through tough financial times

Managing cash, having a budget and increasing productivity without adding costs are most effective strategies for remaining profitable in tough financial times.

Conversion of sheep and beef farms into carbon farms continues at alarming rate

New research shows the scale and pace of sheep and beef land purchased for forestry is even higher than first thought.

E-diary notices: 4 August 2023

Feedback sessions, M. bovis consultation, GMO feedback, ACC details check

B+LNZ Generation Next Programme fuels aspiring farmer's career growth

Informing New Zealand Beef team pick up key insights from North American study tour

E-diary notices: 28 July 2023

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E-diary notices: 21 July 2023

Feedback sessions ending soon, bull nominations for Dairy Beef Progeny Test, B+LNZ’s ETS survey

E-diary notices: 14 July 2023

B+LNZ Awards, 'Catch the Rain' research project

Trade Blog: advocacy in the UK

In this trade blog, B+LNZ's Senior Trade Policy Advisor Nicholas Jolly discusses how we’re working with our counterparts in the United Kingdom on shared issues such as carbon forestry and measuring methane.

Trade Blog: Brexit two years on

In this Trade Blog, the Meat Industry Association’s Senior Manager Strategy reflects on Brexit’s impact on the food industry two years on.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand will continue to push for science based methane targets

Bipartisan support for the Zero Carbon Act will provide certainty for farmers about the framework for emissions, but sheep and beef farmers are disappointed the methane targets remain unchanged.

B+LNZ calls for critical changes in methane approach in Zero Carbon Bill

New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector is deeply concerned over the proposed treatment of methane and targets in the Zero Carbon Bill and is calling for critical changes to the bill.