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.
This is part of B+LNZ’s refreshed strategy, where it is lifting investment into their extension programme and putting more boots on the ground to help and guide farmers.
B+LNZ chief executive Alan Thomson told the organisation’s annual meeting in Rotorua today that the biggest changes under their refreshed strategy are in the extension area.
“What we heard from farmers during the strategy review is you wanted more boots on the ground helping farmers.
“In the last year we have been focused on recruiting great people to deliver the focus groups and hub farm programmes.
“Focus groups are small group learning initiatives that focus on a specific area of on-farm business or performance.
“All the research shows that these kinds of learning environments drive the most change on farm.”
Thomson says they have begun rolling out focus groups in all the regions.
By contrast, a hub farm showcases real-time farm business changes from implementing a change on the farm.
He adds that the aim over the coming year will be to set one hub farm up in each region.
“For both the focus groups and hub farms farmer council input has been critical and I’d like to sincerely thank them for their important work.”
