Valuable lessons have been learnt over the past eight years under Sam McIvor’s reign at the helm of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, all of which the departing leader believes have set the organisation up to determine its own destiny.
McIvor will embark on his new role as chief executive at OSPRI next month.
As he bid farewell in his final week with Beef + Lamb NZ (BLNZ) and the NZ Meat Board, he reflected on 17 years with the industry organisations.
“It has been a real privilege to serve farmers and it’s been an eventful time.
“Reflecting on recent years, we’ve seen significant developments both within our organisations and across our industry,” McIvor said.
“We have navigated global shifts like Brexit and secured significant free trade agreements through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership [CPTPP], and with the UK and the EU.”
China’s emergence as a key export market has been notable, bringing positives and challenges.
“We have contended with covid-19, Mycoplasma bovis, and the biggest policy reform in 30 years, dominated by the environment.
“We’ve seen the highest sheep and beef returns in 40 years followed rapidly by the lowest returns in 20 years.
“During my time I have had the privilege of helping to shape two BLNZ strategies – a red meat sector strategy, a sector environment strategy – and validating our low carbon footprint and biodiversity benefits.
“It’s been quite a ride!”
BLNZ has undertaken a significant uplift in research and innovation investment, genetics and extension efforts, and increased integration with the dairy industry.
“We have navigated through repeated reform across research and industry training, all while building greater collaboration across primary industry organisations.”
Highlights for McIvor include the Red Meat Profit Partnership, a key catalyst in fostering greater industry collaboration, the launch of Taste Pure Nature, the NZ Farm Assurance Programme and NZFAP+.
He has worked for BLNZ for 17 years in two stints since the late 1990s, initially spending nine years in extension and R&D. McIvor said “it’s really hard to sum up that amount of time”, but the past eight years at the helm have been the most significant.
There has been a lot of change.
“The change will continue and how we as a sector anticipate, prepare and respond to it will be critical to success.”
McIvor said the industry should seek to determine its own destiny. Leading it is preferable to it being dictated by others.
“We’ve made tremendous progress with greater collaboration across the industry value chain, but it will need to get better.
“We need to take the next leap in productivity. I believe it’s possible.
“Farmer-led and -driven initiatives can give us this.”
Genetics has been absolutely transformational in the sheep industry and needs to continue at pace.
“Our beef and dairy beef genetics utilisation needs a step up.”
Nature positive – the interaction of climate change, biodiversity, soil and water – will dominate production and the market environment over the next 10 years.
McIvor believes the industry is well positioned in this regard.
“But we need to invest in better measurement and validation to provide assurance to customers and other stakeholders.”
Technology and data, including artificial intelligence, offer huge opportunities and the sector must embrace them.
Tenacity in trade will be critical.
Free trade agreements and removal of non-tariff barriers still offer real value.
“Keeping the government accountable and our active involvement and influence in international trade conversations is key – being clear as a sector about how we want to position ourselves, how we want to feel about ourselves, how we want others to see us and then following that up with the right behaviours.
“We should be taking every opportunity to celebrate success and encourage each other to continue excelling in what we do and getting behind our emerging leaders.
“Our camaraderie and sharing as a sector set us apart internationally – so keep doing it.”
McIvor said the most enjoyable part of his job has been on farm, face to face in the regions witnessing farmers demonstrating world-class farming.
“It’s an industry I’m extremely proud of and I remain committed to its success.”
While acknowledging the sector is experiencing tough times right now, McIvor said he is “absolutely confident the sector has a vibrant future”.
BLNZ has a critical role to play with farmers.
“The team is massively committed and competent and while it was a tough decision to leave, I’m confident the next leader will take the organisation a step up in delivering value and impact.
“I look forward to continuing the relationships as I transfer to OSPRI from August 1.”
McIvor’s parting word for sheep and beef farmers: “I encourage you to take the next few days and weeks to get your NAIT records straight!”
