The latest Beef + Lamb NZ stock number survey shows farmers have continued to adapt quickly to challenging circumstances.
Beef + Lamb chief executive Sam McIvor said the report showed sheep numbers in New Zealand were steady over the past year and beef cattle numbers fell only slightly, despite unfavourable conditions in some regions, including Southland and parts of Otago battling drought and a lack of feed through summer and autumn 2022, resulting in a reduction in breeding ewes.
The report showed the extent of farmland being converted to forestry, which remained a significant concern.
He wanted specific limits on the amount of forestry which could be used to offset fossil fuel emissions in the ETS.
"New Zealand is the only country to allow 100% forestry offsetting. Other countries only allow about 10%. Without these limits all other policy changes, while helpful, will not solve the problem."
