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
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This page contains this week’s e-diary national notices.
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This week’s notices:
B+LNZ and MIA release Briefing to Incoming Ministers
NZ’s red meat sector is calling on the post-election Government to put agriculture and the production and export of beef and lamb at the heart of a new economic strategy. With MIA, B+LNZ has released the ‘Putting the Meat on the Bone’ document, which sets out the strategic challenges NZ must grapple with to improve the prosperity of the country and Kiwis. The document was presented to politicians from all parties at a function at Parliament on Tuesday. Read the media release.
It’s World Iron Awareness Week
This week marks the tenth anniversary of World Iron Awareness Week, a campaign to promote healthy iron-rich foods. Iron deficiency is one of the most common and widespread nutrient deficiencies. Our mates at B+LNZ Inc are running a campaign highlighting this year’s theme of ‘Iron to Move’, showcasing the important role iron can play in keeping physically active. As part of this, Beef + Lamb Ambassador, world champion NZ rugby player Stacey Waaka goes up against world record-holding sheep shearer Sacha Bond in a series of athletic tests at Massey University. Watch the video or find out more on B+LNZ Inc’s website.
You’re invited to the 2023 B+LNZ Awards Dinner
Finalists are soon to be announced in this year’s B+LNZ Awards. Get your tickets now and join us at the 2023 B+LNZ Awards Dinner on 19 October in Christchurch. Throughout the evening, we will showcase the finalists of the eight B+LNZ Award categories and announce the winners. We extend our thanks to the B+LNZ Awards partner Farmlands and our award category sponsors.
Save the date: Rural Issues Debate livestream on 14 September
B+LNZ is working with Federated Farmers and DairyNZ on the Rural Issues Debate, where the major political parties will outline their visions and plans for rural New Zealand. The debate will include Hon. Damien O’Connor (Labour), Hon. Todd McClay (National), Hon. James Shaw (Greens) and Andrew Hoggard (ACT) and will be moderated by Heather du Plessis-Allan. The NZ Herald will be livestreaming the event on Thursday 14 September from 7.30 to 9pm – keep an eye out for details on this soon in an email to farmers and in future e-diaries.
Applications open for Value Chain Innovation Programme
If you're a rural professional keen to gain an entrepreneurial edge, check out the Value Chain Innovation Programme by Rural Leaders and Lincoln University. This six-day programme running from 12–18 November is a facilitated field trip through New Zealand’s leading value chains, with a focus on the North Island. Find out more and apply here. Applications close 17 September 2023. B+LNZ supports Rural Leaders as part of its People and Training workstream.
Have your say on M. bovis consultation
Consultation on proposals to change the approach to eradicating Mycoplasma bovis is underway. The proposals include moving the management of eradicating M. bovis from the Ministry for Primary Industries to OSPRI, establishing a National Pest Management Plan, and decreasing farmer levies to finance the programme. Now that there are no known cases of infection, it is appropriate to begin focusing on surveillance to provide confidence that the disease is absent from New Zealand, while ensuring capability is there to respond to and control any future cases of infection that currently remain undetected. You can have your say by visiting the MPI website. Submissions will close at 5pm, 25 September 2023.
We want your sheep poo
You can play your part in shaping the future tools and solutions for Facial Eczema (FE) management in New Zealand by taking a walk in a paddock. B+LNZ is embarking on the first-ever study of its kind, and we need your help to collect sheep poo. Our goal is to understand how widespread FE is across New Zealand. Read our media release for more information.