Environmental issues take centre-stage at B+LNZ’s Annual Meeting

// B+LNZ

Over 150 farmers and industry leaders gathered in Invercargill earlier this week for Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Annual Meeting and Industry Showcase.

image of Andrew Morrison

Environmental issues were central to much of what the organisation presented on the day and this included questions and concerns raised by farmers attending the meeting.   

Addressing some of these concerns, the Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, called into the meeting by video to outline the Government’s announcement that it had adopted some the recommendations made by the Southland Winter Grazing Advisory Group. This included delaying the implementation of the winter grazing regulations for 12 months and focusing on an industry-led Intensive Winter Grazing module to support farm plans in the coming year. See the media release outlining our response here.

The Annual Meeting gave B+LNZ the opportunity to release its new strategy and farm planning approach, both of which are part of what B+LNZ Chairman Andrew Morrison described as the environmental re-set facing the sector.

In launching the new strategy, CEO Sam McIvor outlined the three key priorities for the organisation; Supporting Farm Excellence, Championing the Sector and Increasing Market Returns. 

He also announced B+LNZ’s new sheep and beef industry awards to be held later this year. The awards will celebrate the sheep and beef sector – including dairy beef – and its contribution to New Zealand and its economy.

Eight national award categories will recognise sector participants who make an outstanding impact to their area of expertise.

Taste Pure Nature

B+LNZ’s General Manager Marketing Nick Beeby provided an update on Taste Pure Nature.

He spoke about the importance of the value of the brand and how B+LNZ was working in partnership with meat companies to promote New Zealand’s naturally-raised red meat in China and the USA.

“The level of collaboration that exists between B+LNZ and meat companies continues to ramp up but there is still some room for improvement.”

The Alliance Group’s General Manager for Sales, Shane Kingston, described the challenges and opportunities facing the red meat sector and the success of campaigns run under the Taste Pure Nature banner in China and the USA – the latter in conjunction with Silver Fern Farms and ANZCO Foods.

Kingston reiterated the need for importance of the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programmes including NZFAP Plus.

“We need to use it to the best of our ability to try and get the best possible return from our market.”

Director announcements

During the formal part of the Annual Meeting, Andrew Morrison welcomed Kate Acland, newly-elected Director representing farmers in the Northern South Island and thanked her predecessor Phil Smith for his contribution over the past six years.

Martin Coup was re-elected as a representative for the Northern North Island region.

Environmental Strategy and Farm Plan

After the formalities, Dave Harrison, B+LNZ’s General Manager Policy & Advocacy summarised the work the organisation was doing in line with the priorities outlined in its environmental strategy and this was followed with the launch of B+LNZ’s farm planning approach by Ron Pellow, B+LNZ’s Farm Planning Leader.

Tying it all together was a visit to the Miller family’s sheep and beef farm, an NZFAP Plus pilot farm. The family demonstrates how exemplary environment management benefits their whole business by improving livestock productivity.

Find out more

For more information, see the following links: 

Watch video recordings

Below you can find links to watch video recordings including the formal Annual Meeting part of the day. You can view the other sessions (Launch of B+LNZ Strategy, International Markets Update and Enhancing our Environmental Position) in the B+LNZ Annual Meeting & Showcase 2021 playlist.

  • B+LNZ