Previous farming excellence programmes

Farmer-initiated technology and transfer programme

The programme offered funding of up to $10,000 to groups of sheep and beef farmers to trial new approaches to systems. Grants were for 12 months and allowed local groups to get technical help with the analysis and learning around their selected issue.

Projects previously funded programmes include:

• Farmer-initiated technology and transfer programme
• etc (still waiting on content from Maria)

Innovation Farms

The Innovation Farm programme helped farmers identify tools and practices that result in real financial improvements. It brought together the best scientific minds and farming visionaries to investigate specific technology and on farm innovations and each projected lasted around 3 years. 

Farmer Focus Groups

B+LNZ provided financial support for farmer focus groups where outcomes and solutions developed could provide new information and ‘know how’ for other sheep and beef farmers. This included discussion groups, local trial groups or subject-specific activities. 

Profit Partnerships

The Profit Partnerships programme brought together 10–15 farmers in the same area who met regularly and worked together to help make rapid and measurable improvements to their business. Participants were encouraged to work towards sustainable improvements and adopt innovation farming practices that would improve productivity, profit and business growth. 

Monitor Farms

The Monitor Farm programme focused on a single farm business over a three to four year period. A community group would identify issues impacting local production and farm performance and work together with a farmer and facilitator to develop and implement a business and monitoring plan.

The success on a single farm driven by community collaboration and local expertise would provide practical and proven information for other farmers.

Watch videos from some of our previous farmer led/farming excellence programmes

• Innovation Farm: Optimal establishment method and seed mix 
• Innovation Farm: Forage use in high performance sheep systems 

B+LNZ Action Groups

Developed with input from sheep and beef farmers and rural professionals as part of the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP), the approach has been proven to support farmers to make changes in a range of areas such as farm systems and the environment.

Action Groups are made up of seven to nine farm businesses. Farmers work together with the support of professional facilitation, expert input and kick-start funding to improve on-farm productivity or to address environmental challenges. Strong peer-to-peer learning and group support is another significant benefit.

The principles of the Action Network model have also been used to support farmers setting up Catchment Communities groups.

Learn more about our Action Groups here. 

Farming for Profit

Our Farming for Profit programme shares information and monitors progress amongst a whole community rather than just an individual farm.

The programmes are based on feedback from the farming community, using field days, seminars and workshops to address the issues most important to you and your neighbours.

See our events calendar for Farming for Profit field days coming up near you.