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Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Environment under spotlight at The sheep and beef sector is well-placed to turn the challenges into opportunities and reap the rewards, farmers were told at Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s recent annual meeting in Gisborne. James Parsons, outgoing chairman at Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) said strong prices and recent trade gains such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will undoubtedly help lift the profitability of sheep and beef farming. However, Parsons said, despite the progress and achievements, the sheep and beef sector could not afford to be complacent. “That’s why we are committed to a number of important initiatives such as the Red Meat Story and the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme, so the sector can capture more value from key markets. “We are also continuing to invest in supporting farming excellence with our research and development
and extension programmes to boost productivity and reduce costs.” Parsons, who farms in Northland, stepped down last month as chairman of B+LNZ after four years in the role and another five years as a director. He was first elected to the board as a farmer director representing the Northern North Island region in 2009. He has been replaced by King Country sheep and beef farmer Martin Coup. Gore farmer and Southern South Island director and deputy chairman Andrew Morrison has assumed the chairman’s role. The Government has been constructive in its discussions with the sheep and beef sector since the general election last year, and Parsons encouraged the sector to work closely with them. “We all agree with the goal of improving water quality, having a lighter environmental footprint and moving further up the value curve. “We accept sheep and beef farming has an environmental
Left – Former Beef + Lamb New Zealand chairman James Parsons says the sheep and beef sector can’t afford to be complacent.
Right – Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor says the organisation will continue to undertake in-depth analysis of consumers and markets and look to the future to identify new opportunities and challenges. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
impact, yet despite this, our sheep and beef farmers are world leaders. “The Government has set an ambitious target of being carbon neutral by 2050 and
the sheep and beef sector has reduced its carbon emissions by 19 per cent since 1990 whilst maintaining production. The opportunity is to continually improve and share
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the innovations we develop in tackling these challenges with other countries, so we make the world a better place. “With 2.7 million hectares, almost a quarter of New Zealand’s indigenous bush, located on sheep and beef farms, coupled with riparian plantings and exotic woodlots, we are in a strong position.” B+LNZ’s mission was to ensure future policies did not have unintended consequences for the sheep and beef sector, he said. “For instance, planting 1