Entries have opened for the 2023 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards, which celebrate the people, innovation, science and technologies behind NZ’s world-leading red meat sector.
BLNZ chief executive Sam McIvor is encouraging anyone working in the red meat industry to consider either entering or nominating someone, or an organisation, who is making a difference.
“Think about your farm staff, the teachers, the mentors, the scientists, the community leaders, the local heroes, the breeders, the people who develop the technologies that make your life easier, the sector champions, the marketers and those who support farmer health and wellbeing, and nominate them for an award.”
There are eight category awards, four of which are people focused and four industry focused.
Entries close at the end of July with judging taking place in August. The awards showcase will be held at Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch on October 19.
McIvor said it has been a tough year for the primary sector with extreme weather events coming on top of concern about the raft of government environmental policies, rising interest rates and soaring input costs.
“The BLNZ Awards gives us the opportunity to take stock and celebrate the fantastic people and work happening in our sector,” he said.
“We have so much to be proud of and the awards give us the chance to showcase our sector to our peers and the wider public.”
McIvor said he is pleased that Farmlands is once again the awards partner.
Farmlands CEO Tanya Houghton said the BLNZ Awards are a great way to celebrate the people, the innovations and the systems that make NZ’s grass-based red meat industry so advanced.
“Like Beef +Lamb New Zealand, we’re supporting a sustainable and profitable sheep and beef industry by offering the sector the best value possible as a buying group.
“We’re really pleased to continue to support the awards, and acknowledge the achievements of everyone who contributes to the red meat industry and to the success and wellbeing of our farmers and their communities.”
Visit the BLNZ website to enter.
