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).
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
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