McIvor to step down in July
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor will step down in July.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand wants changes made to the stock exclusion regulations the Government introduced in August 2020 - specifically the low-slope map.
"Our position has been clear all along - we want the inaccurate low-slope map to be deleted and replaced with a general rule that regional councils would be empowered to give effect to," BLNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says.
The Government's current low-slope map identifies thousands of hectares of steep land as low-slope which therefore is required to be fenced. "Tinkering around the edges of the unworkable and inaccurate national-scale map won't get the right outcomes - we need regional approaches."
McIvor says the Government's decision to support an industry-led Intensive Winter Grazing (IWG) module to farm plans in the coming year and to delay the implementation of the winter grazing rules shows that arbitrary rules are not the right approach. "We have been very clear that farmers need workable and relevant rules and have been advocating for effects-based approaches at the paddock scale to both IWG and to stock exclusion, delivered through effective farm planning."
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.