Beef + Lamb NZ announced their four-year Cool Beef programme this week, funded by the Ag Emissions Centre.

The sector was about $50 million behind in deferred maintenance because control work has to be repeated after the initial knockdown.

The couple produce beef and lamb for eating quality, supplying chefs and top restaurants, and say winning the award has lifted the brand.

A trip to Brazil, the fourth-largest dairying industry in the world, offered a window into how farmers handle hot conditions.