Greener Pastures: Priorities for a low-footprint, high-value food producing future

NZ’s pastures face challenges from climate change, the need to improve environmental outcomes, and changing consumer wants. The New Zealand Grassland Association has outlined a way forward for the $30+ billion pastoral industry through a green paper, which follows on from the 2021 Resilient Pastures Symposium. On this webinar recording, some of the paper’s authors discuss the 5 actions we should take.

EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement and NZ’s Red Meat sector

The recently signed European Union-New Zealand trade deal received a lot of media attention and there’s some confusion as to why the red meat sector is disappointed. To discuss why Beef + Lamb New Zealand hoped for more and to explain where NZ as a whole did get some gains, we are joined by Frances Duignan, our Senior Manager - International Trade. You can read our article here

Better Beef Breeding: the Informing New Zealand Beef Programme

Informing New Zealand Beef is a 7 year programme to provide NZ beef farmers with the ability to breed animals better suited to this country. It will develop tools for our unique farm systems, in particular a NZ-specific genetic evaluation. Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics Dan Brier (General Manager) and Anna Boyd (Genetics Operations Specialist) join us to discuss the planned programme. For more information: https://beeflambnz.com/your-levies-at-work/informing-new-zealand-beef-programme

The Dawkins Family: Marlborough Sheep & Beef Farmers of the Year 2021

Chris, Julia and Richard Dawkins run Pyramid Farm in Marlborough. It’s a diverse business targeting high productivity and profit in a challenging environment. On this podcast, recorded as a webinar for the Award’s field-day, they discuss how they have adapted, tailored and diversified their business. Plus discuss how they wean 60 kg of lamb per ewe when the area average is 40kg.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities- Industry panel

Recorded at a Beef + Lamb New Zealand webinar, Robyn Dynes (AgResearch), Andrew Morrison (B+LNZ Chair), Emma Crutchley, Mark Cox  and Nigel Woodhead speak about how farmers can be open to opportunities in the sector and things that farmers can do to remain resilient in a complex and ever-changing world.

Planning for Disruption, with Rob Macnab

Join Mark Harris, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Lead Extension Manager and Rob Macnab, TotalAg as they discuss how you can respond to disruption behind the farm gate. Topics include: how you can build resilience; options to handle disruption; key tips to making good decisions; continuing to survive and thrive despite outside impacts; plus experiences from farmers and other rural professionals.    

Ill thrift and autumn trace element management. Part 2: Mary Bowron on trace elements and minerals

This Beef + Lamb New Zealand webinar explains the many possible causes of autumn ill thrift, what we should look out for if our flock isn’t doing as well as we think they should.  Mary Bowron discusses trace elements and minerals through the Autumn period, what to look for, actions to take through this period.

Ill thrift and autumn trace element management. Part 1: Charlotte Westwood on plant physiology

This Beef + Lamb New Zealand webinar explains the many possible causes of autumn ill thrift, what we should look out for if our flock isn’t doing as well as we think they should. Charlotte Westwood speaks about understanding plant physiology in Autumn and how to get the most out of the pastures at this time for optimum growth and performance

Let’s find a better solution to the ETS: key questions about the agriculture emissions pricing options.

Following on from the ag-emissions pricing roadshows, DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel and Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Andrew Morrison discuss the background to the He Waka Eka Noa proposals, and answer some frequently asked questions.

Note consultation has now closed.

For more information, visit: https://beeflambnz.com/emissions-pricing-consultation

Brexit Redux: Two Years’ On

The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 but that didn’t mean Brexit was done. Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s International Trade Team, based in London and Wellington, discusses what has happened, what hasn’t, and what it means for New Zealand’s beef and sheepmeat exports.

Protecting your Patch – the key biosecurity actions for your farm Updated Jan 2022

On this Scene + Herd podcast we’re joined by Will Halliday, Senior Advisor for Biosecurity and Animal Welfare at Beef + Lamb New Zealand. We discuss the 7 key intervention points for each farm and its people to prevent or reduce risk from weeds, pests and diseases.

For more information, check out B+LNZ’s Drystock Biosecurity Guidelines and have a look at our online Biosecurity module

To get started on your Biosecurity Plan, try the Biosecurity 'Warrant of Fitness'

REMEMBER: If you have any concerns about a weed, a pest or a disease on your farm, call MPI on 0800 809966.

Climate science, policy and NZ farming

Applying climate science to the Emissions Trading Scheme, He Waka Eke Noa and emissions targets.

Dave Frame and Adrian Macey are world leaders in the science of climate change and its application in policy. This discussion focuses on moving the conversation from emissions to warming and NZ agriculture’s ongoing contribution to warming. It covers how He Waka Eke Noa demonstrates the sector’s commitment to taking action, and the relative roles of targets, metrics and pricing. Find out more about issues such as why knowing your numbers is important, the GWP* metric and what going into the ETS would mean for agriculture.

Finding our talents and growing our wellbeing with Doug Avery

Finding our talents and growing our wellbeing are key strategies to handling the challenges of life. On a Beef + Lamb New Zealand Farming for Profit webinar, Doug Avery shared this practical look at how you find great ability to grow your life and your business.  Doug also gave tips on helping others who are doing it tough.

The Great Stocking Rate Debate

Recorded live at a Beef + Lamb New Zealand Marlborough Farming for Profit Field day, this debate is a light hearted and amusing discussion on whether to measure farm production on a per head or per hectare performance. Starring Ian Knowles, Jo Grigg, Fraser Avery, and Dr Anne Ridler, facilitated by Greg Sheppard

Breakfeed: Equity Growth Pathways for Farm Ownership, with Will Meads, Senior Relationship Manager ANZ

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

After the B+LNZ Central Canterbury Farming for Profit “Connected to you - moving up the ladder” seminar we caught up with guest speaker Will Meads, Senior Relationship Manager ANZ. Will discusses how to get into an equity growth pathway to achieve farm ownership.   

Breakfeed: Sarah Barr, Coach Approach Rural

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

After the B+LNZ Central Canterbury Farming for Profit “Connected to you - moving up the ladder” seminar we caught up with guest speaker Sarah Barr, Coach Approach Rural, to talk through ways to highlight future pathways for growth and upskilling along each stage of a farming career. Her key topics include communication, mentoring and where to start with staff and people management.  

Breakfeed: Boyd MacDonald, General Manager of Lonestar Farms

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

After the B+LNZ Central Canterbury Farming for Profit “Connected to you - moving up the ladder” seminar we caught up with guest speaker Boyd MacDonald, GM Lonestar Farms to talk through his career pathway,  advice around how to make the most of your career opportunities in order to climb the ladder and how Lonestar Farms approaches supporting farm staff in training and career progression.   

Breakfeed: Jamie Fitzgerald, modern day adventurer

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

After the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Central Canterbury Farming for Profit “Connected to you - moving up the ladder” seminar we caught up with guest speaker Jamie Fitzgerald to talk through tackling the big challenges. Jamie is a modern-day adventurer who has walked unaided to the South Pole, holds the world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, fronts television documentaries First Crossings & Intrepid NZ and is CEO of consultancy business, Inspiring Performance.  

Making Change: Farm business gains through Beef + Lamb New Zealand Action Groups

This panel discussion recorded live at B+LNZ’s FarmSmart Conference 2021 was facilitated by Denise Bewsell with four farmers from different Action Groups who discussed the changes they have made to their businesses as a result of being part of the programme.

To find out more about B+LNZ Action Groups, visit https://beeflambnz.com/action-groups

Breakfeed: A practical and realistic approach to Farm Succession Planning, with Richard Parkes

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Richard Parkes is a partner at Cavell-Leitch and a leading legal expert in Agribusiness matters. Richard also has a particular interest in assisting farming families with farm succession plans and asset protection structures. He spoke to the 2021 FarmSmart conference about where farm succession usually goes wrong, and the keys to getting it right

Breakfeed: Be a product of your choices rather than your challenges, with Dave Clouston

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Dave Clouston was born and bred in the Mackenzie Country, farmed in a family partnership, went through succession, development and a turn as a Monitor Farmer, before a serious farm accident changed it all. Dave talks about facing change and adversity, and how he has learned that people are more often a product of their choices rather than the challenges they have faced.

Breakfeed: The Lean Farm, with Jana Hocken

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Jana Hocken worked as an engineer with global giant Toyota, and saw the value of their remarkable ‘lean thinking’, continuous improvement practices and culture. Since 2017 Jana has helped to bring lean concepts to farming, implementing lean on her family’s 1,000 cow dairy farm in the Manawatu. She has founded The LeanFarm Project to help create awareness of lean in farming and joins us to discuss what it is and how NZ farmers can benefit from it. Find out more at her website https://www.leanfarm.nz/

Breakfeed: Fraser Avery, Moving while the rest are still sleeping

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Fraser is the Chair of the B+LNZ Northern South Island Farmer Council, and the Avery family farm ‘Bonavaree’ at Seddon, Marlborough. Fraser talks about their model for resilience, including the importance of people, learning, communication, taking time for yourself, and having pride in what you do.

Optimising Lambing Performance, with Paul Kenyon

Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the School of Agriculture and Environment at Massey University, discusses managing ewes through pregnancy and lambing during a challenging winter. Key points covered: Foetal aging to target feeding levels and prioritise mobs; Ewe feed intake and demand during pregnancy and lambing; Pre lamb shearing advantages and disadvantages depending on timing; Early weaning of lambs.

Farmers talk about the ways they farm in the face of drench resistance

Triple Drench Resistance is here, and every month it will affect more farms. Farms without it should do everything they can to prevent it, but if it happens there are still options. We are joined by  Sam Johnston, Hamish Blundell and Mike Cranstone who each farm properties with Triple Drench Resistance. They tell us how it arose, what they are doing about it, and the progress they have made. For more information about drench resistance, head to www.wormwise.co.nz

Dr Neale Towers and Robert Carter: Facing up to Facial Eczema

On this RMPP conference call from 16 November 2016, we discuss facial eczema – its causes, and how farmers of sheep, cattle and deer can avoid, remedy or mitigate its impacts. Robert Carter is Chair of the Facial Eczema Working Group that brings together sheep, beef, deer and dairy industries, and Dr Neale Towers has worked on FE matters for most of his career. As well as detailed discussion of the fungus that causes the problem and the risk factors, we discuss what farmers should be monitoring for pastures and animals, and the methods that are proven to make a beneficial difference.

Open Farms 2021: Building Urban-rural trust and support for sustainable farming

In 2020, over 3500 people visited a farm on an open day to see what happens behind the gates. In 2021 the Open Farms day is back and will be bigger and better. Founder Daniel Eb talks about why the programme was created and what it achieved in just one year, and talks about what the farmers taking part gain from the experience as well as the value to our industry. For more information and to sign up, check out Open Farms website , and have a listen to our previous podcast on the things attendees got from the day On Farm experiences build support for farming On Farm experiences build support for farming

Engaging in environmental policy vital for sector resilience

B+LNZ Environmental Policy Manager Corina Jordan outlines the environmental opportunities facing the sector and the work the team is doing to help farmers navigate regional and national policy changes.

Profitable outcomes from forage system change, with Matthew Tayler, Lorne Peak Station

Former Beef + Lamb New Zealand innovation farmers Matthew and Shona Tayler farm 5600ha Lorne Peak Station near Garston in Southland.  With a balance of steep hill country and stony flats, Lorne Peak has undergone a transformation to a highly productive breeding and finishing operation.  During their tenure as Innovation Farmers, the couple utilised a combination of Lucerne and annual clovers along with changes to both beef and sheep management to drive levels of beef performance and profitability previously thought to be unattainable on Lorne Peak.  Matthew charts aspects of the journey reflecting on the drivers of change and how a team approach has provided confidence to speed up the process.

Breakfeed: Benefits of hogget lambing with Deane Carson and Geordie Eade

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Following the 2020 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Progressive Ag Conference join Southern South Island Extension Manager Olivia Ross as she takes a look back at hogget lambing over the past 10 years and how hogget lambing can be part of your farming operation. She is joined by Agribusiness Consultant Deane Carson and Southland farmer Geordie Eade sharing their experiences.  

For more information check out B+LNZ’s hogget lambing guidebook  “Hogget Performance: Unlocking the Potential”

High performing forages to drive profitability

Guest speaker Blair Nelson who, along with his wife Anna, farms 1,100ha of hill country in the King Country.  The couple were Beef + Lamb New Zealand Innovation Farmers and sought to lift profitability on their cultivable land by $200/ha. Focusing on specialist forages, they generated average post-weaning lamb growth rates of 240 g/day.  While primarily used for lambs, this feed was also used for growing out hoggets and had a profound effect on their farm system. They believe that this focus on feeding sets the potential for the life-time performance.

Breakfeed: Increasing the percentage of lambs finished at weaning, with Graham Butcher

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Southland farm consultant Graham Butcher was a speaker at the 2020 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Progressive Ag Conference. He discusses some of the practical farming strategies and lessons that can help increase the percentage of lambs finished off ewes at weaning and lift your profitability and productivity. 

Breakfeed: Using social media to effectively tell our story, with Rowena Duncum and Ben Dooley

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

As farmers and growers, social media is useful to tell our stories and also to interact with the general public and urban counterparts. Following the 2020 Beef + Lamb NZ Progressive Ag Conference Rowena Duncum, Executive Producer of “The Country”  and Southland farmer Ben Dooley discuss how we can use social media to its best effect and the do’s and don’ts to be successful.  

Breakfeed: High performance bull farming with Central Otago farmer Ben Trotter

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

 Central Otago farmer Ben Trotter gave a practical overview of profitable bull beef finishing to the 2020 Beef + Lamb NZ Progressive Ag Conference. He discussed how you could make a system like his work for your business

Breakfeed: “Right tree, right place” with Stuart Orme, Forestry Consultant

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Independent forestry consultant Stuart Orme spoke at the 2020 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Progressive Ag Conference. He discusses how multiple uses of plants/trees can add value to a farming operation and reduce overall farm emissions without a negative impact on the normal farm business.

For more information check out these resources:

https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/PDF/trees-farm.pdf 

https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/PDF/one-billion-trees  

70 years of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Economic Service and the Sheep and Beef Survey, with Rob Davison

Today we celebrate our 100th Scene + Herd podcast, and soon we will reach 100,000 unique downloads!

Rob Davison, who has been at B+LNZ for over 40 years talks about why the Economic Service was formed back in 1950, how they go about their job and what they provide for our red meat industry. Much of the information from the Farm Survey is available for you to use, free of charge, from our website or on request.

We posted our first podcast back in April 2016, and quickly learned that it is a great way for farmers to tune into interesting topics while keeping busy on-farm.  We’ve covered everything from farm Health and Safety to consumer preferences in China, but hearing from farmers and other experts in farm management is one of the main reasons for the channel. If you’re a new listener or long-term, swipe to check out the most popular interviews.

Otago Regional Council Plan Change 7 and the Omnibus (PC 1 and 8) Plan Change

Are you wondering what the recent proposed changes to Otago’s water and waste plans might mean for you? Are you thinking about making a submission?

Join Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Olivia Ross on this podcast to hear from Lauren Philips, B+LNZ Environmental Policy Manager for the South Island about the latest Otago Regional Council Plan Change and what this will be mean for farmers. Two plan changes to the Otago Regional Plan have been notified by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) which will affect drystock and dairy farmers in Otago – the Omnibus Plan Change (PC 1 and 8) and Plan Change 7 (Deemed Permits). (The Omnibus Plan Change has two names, with the other name being the Water Quality Plan Change).

Check out our webpage for more information 

Straightforward advice to be safer on farm, with Al McCone of Worksafe

Did you know that 50% of accidents on farm happen after 3pm? And that there are 3 simple steps you can take to dramatically reduce the impact of some of the most common accidents? Al McCone is Engagement Lead at Worksafe, and joins us for an update to his earlier podcast (link below). As well as some fascinating stats about when accidents occur and why, he discusses 3 key things Worksafe recommend to give farmers a ‘softer landing’ in the event of an accident: seatbelts, Crush Prevention Devices (CPDs) on quad bikes, and devices that can autonomously send a signal for help. In the longer term, Al suggests we start looking at how we work to see if there are changes we can make to reduce the probability of incidents occurring.

Al’s earlier podcast is here: Farming Health and Safety 

Details about ACC’s support for the costs of CPDs is here: Helping to buy crush protection devices for quad bikes at work 

Breakfeed: Catchment Community Groups – the good, the bad and the better

In the third podcast from our Catchment Community Group (CCG) forum Peter Mitchell (North Otago), Mark Adams (Fairlie), Josh Brown (North Canterbury), Roger Dalrymple (Rangitikei), Anna Nelson (King Country) and Rick Burke (Bay of Plenty) tell us about some of the things that can go wrong, how to get the messages out to the community and others, and answer a range of questions from listeners.

For more detail, check out our Catchment Community Group Programme webpage

More background on the farmer speakers and their groups 

Challenges & opportunities for the remainder of 2020 & beyond – Susan Kilsby, Economist

Susan Kilsby became ANZ Bank’s Agriculture Economist in late 2018. As NZ arguably faces the toughest economic situation since World War 2, Susan discusses how the primary industry can prepare our businesses to be resilient to economic downfall. She will also touch on trends seen in other sectors and future predictions for the second half of 2020.

Animal Health Management with Trevor Cook

Trevor Cook from Totally Vets Manawatu is well-known by farmers around the country for his work in farm consultancy, extension and research. 
In this call, Trevor will share his knowledge and insights for fine tuning your animal health plan following the dry autumn and heading into lambing and calving.

Breakfeed: Good advice for Catchment Community Groups

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

In the second podcast from our Catchment Community Group (CCG) forum, we get advice, tips and tricks for setting up and operating a Catchment Community Group. Hear from Peter Mitchell (North Otago), Mark Adams (Fairlie), Josh Brown (North Canterbury), Roger Dalrymple (Rangitikei), Anna Nelson (King Country) and Rick Burke (Bay of Plenty)

 For more detail, check out our Catchment Community Group Programme webpage

More background on the farmer speakers and their groups 

Breakfeed: Why be part of a Catchment Community Group?

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

In this first podcast from our Catchment Community Group (CCG) forum, we talk with a group of farmers about their groups, why they were formed and what they are doing. Hear how CCGs are about so much more than just water from Peter Mitchell (North Otago), Mark Adams (Fairlie), Josh Brown (North Canterbury), Roger Dalrymple (Rangitikei), Anna Nelson (King Country) and Rick Burke (Bay of Plenty)

 For more detail, check out our Catchment Community Group Programme webpage

More background on the farmer speakers and their groups 

Breakfeed: Orphan Lamb Rearing, with Kerry Harmer

Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Kerry Harmer and her husband Paul farm Castleridge Station in the Ashburton Gorge and were concerned about the economic loss associated with lamb wastage, as well as the animal welfare implications. 

Determined to address the issue, the couple have set up a lamb-rearing system – which includes automatic feeders – that minimises lamb losses and generates a profit of $50/head (including labour costs). Kerry was a popular presenter on Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Ladies’ Virtual Muster and joins Regional Associate Briar Huggett to discuss the Harmers’ journey and tips and tricks she has for other lamb rearers.

NZAgBiz Feed guide for calves, lambs and other animals 

Artificial lamb rearing - Managing abomasal bloat 

Video: Orphan lamb rearing 

Early- to late-pregnancy nutritional management of ewes, with Professor Paul Kenyon, Massey University

The second podcast in the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Taranaki Farming for Profit Lifting Sheep Productivity series features Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences at Massey University.  Paul has led a considerable amount of sheep research focused on improving on-farm productivity and profitability and is a key contributor to many of B+LNZ’s resource booklets and factsheets.

In this podcast, Paul discusses taking care of ewes through pregnancy, making sure their feed needs are met for health, welfare and productivity.

For more information, check out our resource book “A Guide to Feed Planning for Sheep Farmers” 

You can also watch the video of Paul’s presentation with his slides.

Hannah Miller, A Lady Butcher

At the age of 10, Hannah knew she wanted to work with food, and a few years on she is doing exactly that. Little did she know that moving to London and beginning her butchery apprenticeship would lead to a life focused on sustainability and zero-waste eating. Ten years and six continents later she is known as the lady of “A Lady Butcher”. Her passion is creating purposeful meats from New Zealand products and to create truly local charcuterie. Hear her inspiring journey as she joins Beef + Lamb NZ Southern South Island Extension Manager Olivia Ross to discuss how starting a business was for her along with how to get the most out of NZ meat products.

Check out Hannah’s webpage 'A Lady Butcher’  along with the Meat Business Women - the professional networking group for women working in the meat industry

Use of ewe pregnancy diagnosis (scanning) information, with Professor Paul Kenyon, Massey University

The first of this Beef + Lamb New Zealand Taranaki Farming for Profit Lifting Sheep Productivity series features Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences at Massey University.  Paul has led a considerable amount of sheep research focused on improving on-farm productivity and profitability and is a key contributor to many of B+LNZ’s resource booklets and factsheets.

In this podcast, Paul shares many of his insights and key performance indicators for a high-performance sheep system.

For more information, check out our resource book “Make every mating count” 

On-Farm Experiences Build Support for Farmers, with Dr James Turner of AgResearch

In early 2020, the first Open Farms day was held, with 45 farms welcoming non-farming visitors. The “Our Land and Water National Science Challenge” surveyed those visitors to find out their thoughts about the opportunity and on farming in general. We’re joined by Senior Social Scientist at AgResearch Dr. James Turner to discuss the survey findings, what it means or could mean for farming in New Zealand, and also to talk about the work of the National Science Challenges.

 B+LNZ article on the survey

 Open Farms website

 Our Land an Water National Science Challenge

Breakfeed: Resilience in farming, with Andy Fox, sheep and beef farmer

(Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand)

Fourth-generation North Canterbury farmer Andy Fox has personally experienced and beaten the “down side” of stress and knows the difference the support of others can make when times are tough. Over the last 30 years, Andy has created 40 top lessons from his farming experiences. In this presentation for the B+LNZ Southland Farming for Profit ‘Strategic Pathways to Success’ seminar  he discusses some of his key tips and how you can apply them in your business.

Breakfeed: Feed shortage strategies with Deane Carson, Agri-business consultant

(Breakfeeds are shorter podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand)

Every week is changing when it comes to combating feed shortages and planning for future is as crucial as ever to ensure that feed levels come spring are adequate. In this presentation for the B+LNZ Southland Farming for Profit ‘Strategic Pathways to Success’ seminar, Deane takes us through some strategies to consider as we head into the winter and coping with excess stock numbers.