Farm leaders focused on environment at Beef + Lamb conference

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor says farmers understand that managing the environment is key to their business. Photo / Supplied

Farmer leaders from New Zealand's sheep and beef sector have shared a range of stories, highlighting the steady progress the sector is making on environmental management issues.

Sixty five farmers from around the country were in Wellington last month to discuss initiatives to improve environmental performance and specifically to enhance catchment outcomes.

"Those at the conference were some of New Zealand's most environmentally pro-active farmers and they represent the momentum gathering with farmers across the country," said Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor.

This is the third environment conference Beef + Lamb New Zealand has run for farmers looking for more help to support good environmental management on their farms. The organisation increased its capability with seven full-time staff supporting farmers, including advocacy on issues relating to environmental management.

Mr McIvor said farmers understand that managing the environment is key to their business and know they are custodians of the land.

"They also accept there are environmental challenges and finding solutions is as important for the sector as it is for rural communities, the wider New Zealand population and our trading partners and consumers.

"Since 1990 there has been a remarkable journey of environmental progress. Sheep and beef farmers have driven major efficiency gains - increasing lambing percentages by 25 per cent, and the lamb weight weaned by ewes by 93 per cent," he said.

"What's more impressive is that farmers have achieved this with 23 per cent less land. We estimate that about one million ha of steeper country is either retired or planted in trees while a further million ha of high quality land has been converted to dairy. With this efficiency drive it's estimated that greenhouse gas emissions from the sheep and beef sector has decreased by 19 per cent."

Mr McIvor said while sheep and beef farmers are focused on being profitable and confident about the future, they are also focused on meeting responsibilities to the land and community.

"We're building tools and resources to support them with environmental management, measurement and reporting, while taking into account the many environmental issues that are specific to farms, catchments and regions."

Beef + Lamb New Zealand environment programme manager Matt Harcombe said the conference was about continuing to build leadership capability and capacity in the sector.

"We're building momentum through connecting the elements of successful projects across the country that are making a real difference to the way farms and farmers interact with our environment." Another message was the importance of retaining the 'social licence' to farm - the public perception that allows an industry to operate.

"There are some incredible people doing amazing things across the country and that's a great story that farmers should be proud of. There is always more to do and we need to work hard together to understand what the expectations of New Zealanders are, where our priorities are and to ensure we have the right information and right resources in the right places to make good long-term decisions," Mr Harcombe said.