Scene + Herd: Podcasts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

With scanning results arriving across the country, this podcast provides practical advice for farmers with high numbers of twin and triplet-bearing ewes. Senior Scientist from Bio Economy Science Institute (BSI) David Stevens combines the science with practical farming systems, while North Otago Farmer Julian Prices share what's happening on-farm and the questions himself and the South Canterbury Lamb Survivability Focus Group are asking.

Recorded 20 July 2026.

The red meat sector is a cornerstone of Aotearoa New Zealand. Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and Meat Industry Association (MIA) have just released new research that offers a robust, evidence-based assessment of the economic and social contribution of the sector, including production, processing and exporting. It is the first full measure of the sector’s economic and social contribution since 2020. Project Lead Connor McIndoe from Business and Economic Research (BERL) joins us to make sense of it all.

Read the full report here: Research shows New Zealand’s red meat sector drives nearly $50 billion in annual spending across the economy.

In this episode of Scene + Herd, B+LNZ’s Policy Staff demystify the submission process and show farmers how to turn everyday experience into compelling evidence. They outline five steps for writing clear, relevant submissions. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by consultation documents, this is your go‑to guide.

How to write a submission: farmer guide.

The Government has released draft legislation to replace the Resource Management Act, listen to Beef + Lamb New Zealand's General Manager of Policy and Communications Rowena Hume and Head of Environment Policy Paul Le Miere as they explain the reform and key areas for farmers to know about.

We’re joined by Bill Garland who farms at Maungatautari in the Waikato and Dr Katherine Tozer, Senior Scientist at AgResearch, to talk deferred grazing. Around for many decades in different forms, it’s gaining more popularity as a way to transfer feed from spring to autumn/early winter, to regenerate pastures and to cut down on diesel, seed and cropping/regrassing costs.  Could it have a place in your system?

For more details, check out the deferred grazing information on B+LNZ’s Factsheet, DairyNZ’s Deferred Grazing page and AgResearch’s guide book.

This research was supported by AgResearch, DairyNZ, MPI, Ellett Trust, Ballance Agri-nutrients, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and especially the many farmers who contributed their time, paddocks and expertise.