Sheep & Beef Farm Conversion to Forestry Slows, Risk Remains
Conversions of sheep and beef farms to forestry have slowed, however new research from Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) suggests land of value for food production remains at risk.
The New Zealand Meat Board is proposing to continue funding the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) genetics programme with a contribution of up to $700,000 and providing up to $1 million towards a new facial eczema research project.
NZMB chair Kate Acland says sheep and beef farmers were sent a joint NZMB and Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) mail-out last month, with information on the NZMB online annual meeting on March 15 and the proposals.
Farmers can provide feedback on funding the programmes by completing a form enclosed in the mail-out or by visiting the feedback page on the NZMB website. They can also register for the Annual Meeting by visiting the registration page.
Acland says she strongly encourages farmers to share their views by the closing date on 13 March.
“It’s important we’re funding projects that are relevant to farmer needs, so we’d really value feedback on the two proposed projects,” she says.
“These funds have two purposes. Firstly, as a contingency fund for the industry to restore international market confidence following a catastrophic event such as a Foot and Mouth outbreak, and secondly, as a fund for industry good projects.”
By the end of this year, the Meat Board is expected to be managing ten export quotas with an approximate export value of just under $3 billion.
