On behalf of farmers they invest in research and development; collecting, analysing and benchmarking industry information; ensuring we maintain access to our export markets and building capability in the industry.
All of which are important for the success of the industry and to ensure farmers have access to the tools they need to continue improving their business while coping with the array of challenges that farming presents.
Beef + Lamb is involved in many research projects, including pastoral genomics using plant biotechnologies to improve the productivity, sustainability and quality of New Zealand forages.
There's work done with Beef + Lamb genetics so farmers have access to genetic technology to assist with breeding decisions and improved animal performance ensuring genetic advancement can continue.
Investment is also made in the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
They are also a partner in Meat Biologics Research Limited -- developing novel nutraceuticals, functional foods and health supplements from red meat and its co-products.
There are a huge number of farmer-initiated technology and transfer programmes which provide local farming groups with support to carry out analysis around an issue and share this learning with others.
The extension team around the country helps to deliver some of this science to farmers through field days and other events to ensure farmers have the information they need to continue to make progress.
Market access is another key area that often flies under the radar but individual farmers wouldn't be able to do on their own. This is all about trade -- keeping our existing markets open and helping to open new ones, enabling us to continue to sell our products to the world with as few tariffs and quotas as possible.
Without good market access and trade relationships we would lose our competitiveness internationally as competitors constantly push to get more favourable deals.
Money spent paying tariffs or out-of-quota penalties is money that isn't coming back to the farmer.
B+LNZ also run an economic service which collects and analyses industry data. This enables the benchmarking of farms within regions and land classes, it also provides trends on how the industry is performing and predictions for the coming season. This rich data set is used for a variety of purposes.
Developing capability in the industry is another area of focus for B+LNZ. This involves funding leadership programmes and scholarships to investment at the school level, ensuring agriculture and the red meat industry is considered an attractive career opportunity, with a pipeline of talented people continuing to enter and progressing.
All of these projects are important to ensure the industry remains resilient and innovative.
The current levy rates are 60 cents per sheep and $4.40 per head of cattle and no change is proposed to these rates.
Voting is around the corner so make sure you are registered to vote, to ensure you can have your say on this important decision.
Just having paid a levy in the past or receiving emails doesn't automatically mean you are registered.
You can register online at http://beeflambnz.com/register or by ringing 0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 233 352).
