Another crack to increase B+LNZ director fees
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is having another crack at increasing the fees of its chair and board members.
Beef+Lamb NZ says current Government policies will see too much carbon forestry planted and urgent change is needed.
Last week, Climate Change Minister James Shaw released a discussion paper aimed at helping shape NZ's emissions reduction plan. BLNZ says the paper contains a slight shift in how the Government is talking about the role of carbon-only exotic forestry in addressing climate change.
"We welcome the Government's recognition that fossil fuel emissions must be reduced, rather than continually offset," says chief executive Sam McIvor.
"The discussion document indicates any decision on changing the ETS rules would come by the end of 2022. We're concerned that's not fast enough given the scale and pace of land conversion happening."
McIvor says urgent action is needed to adjust the ETS and limit the amount of carbon forestry offsets available to fossil fuel emitters. NZ is the only country with a regulatory ETS that currently allows 100% carbon forestry offsetting. "We are absolutely not anti-forestry - we're concerned about carbon-only forestry. There is a better solution, where much of New Zealand's required budgets for sequestration from forestry could come from the integration of trees on sheep and beef farms, rather than through conversion of whole farms for carbon forestry."
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.

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