The New Zealand Merino Company’s (NZM) regenerative wool platform, ZQRX, has announced a partnership with the Savory Institute’s Land to Market programme in a bid to further support the former’s network of wool growers. The Land to Market programme convenes farmers, ranchers and other raw material producers who use Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) – a scientific protocol which determines whether farmland is in a state of regeneration or degeneration – to ensure their product is grown in ways that have a lesser environmental impact than conventional practices. Those enrolled in ZQRX’s platform, which produce wool across more than 3.7 mn acres of land, will now benefit from this approach and gain training on how to improve the sustainability credentials of their yields.
NZM launched its ZQRX last year as an extension of its existing ethical wool platform ZQ, addressing the animal welfare and social responsibility implications of wool growing, as well as environmental issues that directly reduce carbon emissions and improve biodiversity, like waste, water quality and soil health.
From the outset, VF Corp brands Icebreaker and Smartwool, as well as Allbirds, became early adopters in a bid to source more ‘sustainable’ wool. VF is now also supporting the platform’s work with the Savory Institute to embed a land indicator into its platform.
“Our strategic partnership with ZQRX ensures that our performance apparel products uphold the responsibility of protecting our planet, as well as the growers and animals involved,” noted Jan Van Mossevelde, Global President of the Icebreaker brand.
“Through supporting the team’s partnership with Savory Institute’s Land to Market – we’re proud to take these efforts to the next level in pursuit of a regenerative future for our ZQ certified merino.”
As two outcome-driven organisations with like-minded objectives, ZQRX and Land to Market’s partnership is deemed a “natural next step” towards accelerating the adoption of regenerative management. As a result of their integration, consumers and brands are expected to gain access to wool of a highest standard that meets stringent environmental, social and animal-related criteria.
“Important collaborations like this one allow us to bring science-backed and outcome-based solutions to more farmers while offering at-scale regenerative material options to brands,” said Chris Kerston, the Savory Institute’s Chief Commercial Officer.
“Our partnership will grow supply by providing training and resources to wool growers, empowering them with the tools they need to manage their land, becoming more resilient to extreme weather events, increasing biodiversity, and ensuring profitability,” continued Kerston.
The New Zealand Merino Company’s (NZM) regenerative wool platform, ZQRX, has announced a partnership with the Savory Institute’s Land to Market programme in a bid to further support the former’s network of wool growers. The Land to Market programme convenes farmers, ranchers and other raw material producers who use Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) – a scientific protocol which determines whether farmland is in a state of regeneration or degeneration – to ensure their product is grown in ways that have a lesser environmental impact than conventional practices. Those enrolled in ZQRX’s platform, which produce wool across more than 3.7 mn acres of land, will now benefit from this approach and gain training on how to improve the sustainability credentials of their yields.
