Here in New Zealand, we are lucky to have access to nutritious, grass-fed beef and lamb raised by farmers who are recognised as world leaders in sustainable farming and animal well-being.
We believe that nature is the best producer of food and we enjoy some of nature’s best growing conditions. Explore New Zealand’s natural farming systems here.
We take our role as Kaitiaki, or guardians, of the environment seriously. Our farmers are deeply connected to their land, and aim to leave a positive legacy for future generations. While we're already committed to environmental care, we keep working on further improvements.
At a glance
New Zealand beef and lamb has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world
Woody vegetation on farms is offsetting on-farm agricultural emissions
2.8 million hectares of native vegetation of beef and sheep farms
Reconnecting New Zealanders with our food and land - Open Farms programme
New Zealand’s sustainable difference verified through NZFAP+ trial
Our core focuses are as follows:
Goal: Sheep and beef farmers actively manage their properties to improve freshwater. New Zealanders can gather food from and swim in freshwater surrounding our farms.
Goal: Farmers continue reducing carbon emissions, moving towards a carbon neutral sheep and beef sector by 2050.
Goal: Land use is closely matched to soil potential and capability. Farmers are working to improve soil health, carbon content and productivity while minimising soil loss.
Goal: Sheep and beef farms provide habitats that support biodiversity and protect our native species.
Programmes underway to enhance environmental sustainability and understanding:
Working everyday to care for our people, animals, and planet.
+ SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
The way we produce beef and lamb is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. Advances in animal genetics and health, and improvements in farm practices, mean farmers are making more from less. Since 1990, we’ve doubled our export values while at the same time halving the number of animals needing to be farmed. Learn more here.
+ CLIMATE CHANGE
New Zealand's beef and sheep sector has reduced its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 30% since 1990. The carbon footprint of New Zealand sheep and beef production is among the world’s lightest, even when exported to international markets and competing with domestically produced meat there. We’re working to further reduce emissions through initiatives such as breeding lower methane-emitting sheep. Find out more about the science our sector is working on to reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions here. The trees and vegetation on our farms also help sequester carbon (absorb emissions) and contribute to biodiversity.
Learn how New Zealand farmers are among the most carbon efficient in the world here.
+ BIODIVERSITY
New Zealand's sheep and beef farmers actively protect and enhance biodiversity, and undertake restoration or conservation activities. Farmers voluntarily contribute to QEII protected land, creating vital biodiversity corridors. Around one-third of sheep and beef farmland is under native vegetation and 24% of New Zealand’s total native vegetation is on sheep and beef farmland – that makes farmers New Zealand’s second largest stewards of native bush, exceeded only by public conservation land.
+ WATER QUALITY AND WATER USE
New Zealand's beef and lamb is produced almost entirely on rain-fed pastures, with minimal irrigation, meaning our water footprint is a fraction of global grain-fed meat production. Our generally low number of animals per hectare and low use of nitrogen fertiliser minimises nitrogen leaching levels. Measures such as planting slip-prone land and keeping cattle out of waterways helps protect water quality. Many farmers are part of local catchment community groups working together on water quality and biodiversity outcomes.
+ ANIMAL WELFARE
New Zealand has some of the strictest animal welfare standards in the world. Farmers prioritise the wellbeing of their animals and our free range and pasture fed sheep and beef cattle live very naturally. Quality Marked beef and lamb adheres to strict welfare standards.
You can learn more about what we are doing to promote animal welfare in the farming sector here.
You can learn more about the Quality Mark here.
+ SOIL HEALTH
In New Zealand most arable farmers are also sheep and beef farmers because the most sustainable cropping systems leave the land fallow for a period of time and rotate livestock onto those paddocks to rebuild the soil naturally through manure. Farmers also work to address erosion-prone land through planting.
+ SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
The sheep and beef sector is integral to New Zealand's social and economic fabric, employing over 92,400 people annually. It contributes significantly to the economy, adding around $4.6 billion in household income each year – that’s $3,300 per year to every household on average. Our farms support wider rural communities including schools, local businesses and community facilities, and farming creates a sense of identity in many regions of New Zealand.