Cleland named OSPRI chair
Southland farmer and director Tony Cleland has been named OSPRI New Zealand’s new chair.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has been elected to the Board of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) for a two-year term commencing November 2023.
The GRSB is a global initiative developed to advance continuous improvement in the sustainability of the global beef value chain through leadership, science, engagement, and collaboration.
Members of the GRSB come from more than 24 countries and include producer organisations, processors, retailers, national roundtables, and NGOs.
B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says being elected to the GSRB Board is an acknowledgement of the hard work New Zealand sheep and beef farmers have undertaken to enhance on-farm sustainability.
“New Zealand is recognized as an international leader in this regard and our involvement with the GRSB offers an opportunity to continue working with others to tackle the challenges faced by global beef farmers,” McIvor says.
“The GRSB allows B+LNZ to influence global discussions and policies that will benefit New Zealand sheep and beef farmers.”
He says that advocating through the GRSB Board position provides greater weight to B+LNZ’s advocacy efforts than if the organization was to act independently.
“For instance, B+LNZ is working with the GRSB and other organisations at COP28 this year to promote the use of a warming approach to agricultural methane emissions,” McIvor explains.
“We see the recognition of appropriate metrics as a key issue for all beef farmers and New Zealand is recognized as being at the forefront of this issue,” he says.
B+LNZ also sits on the board of the New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (NZRSB).
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.

OPINION: If the hand-wringing, cravat and bow-tie wearing commentariat of a left-leaning persuasion had any influence on global markets, we'd…
OPINION: With Winston Peters playing politics with the PM's Indian FTA, all eyes will be on Labour who have the…