The meeting and field day were held on Rangitaiki Station, a Landcorp Pāmu property to the East of Lake Taupo, and situated around 700 m (2100 ft) above sea level. Unusual for the North Island, the growing season is only four months long.
It is an extensive property of around 8,400 effective ha (20,750 acres) running approximately 84,000 stock units (adult sheep equivalents) in the form of a Beef and Sheep breeding block, a bull beef block, and a deer breeding and finishing block.
The livestock on Pāmu farms are grassfed, hormone and antibiotic free.
While not advocating large scale conversion of grazing land to forestry, Landcorp has sufficient land holdings to be able to decide to put the most marginal grazing land into tree plantations and benefit from the emission trading scheme, as skilled labour and equipment can be utilised over their entire portfolio of 116 farms and 365,257ha (902,570 acres).
Pāmu has a strong commitment to sustainable production to protect and enhance the environment, and was thus a logical partner in the proof of concept for NZ sustainable beef.
In other news we are pleased to announce that Amie Peck, Stakeholder Engagement Manager from Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, has agreed to chair our Communications Council. Welcome Amie and thank you for your commitment!