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E-diary notices: 21 March 2025

B+LNZ Western North Island Director election result, Additional guidance on managing shearing cuts available, Join the Dairy-Beef Collective

image of Andrew Stewart with horse and dogs

B+LNZ 2025 Western North Island Director election result announced

B+LNZ has released the results of voting in the WNI farmer director election. Andrew Stewart, Rangitikei hill country farmer, has been elected to the B+LNZ Board in the Western North Island electorate. Results of other voting will follow the annual meeting next week.

image of sheep infront of pine trees and mountains

B+LNZ update on environmental policy advocacy

This email was sent to farmers on 20 March 2025.

image of Maori family holding hands on farm road

Meet B+LNZ’s Māori agribusiness advisory group

B+LNZ continues to build its support for Whenua Māori, having established its very first Kāhui (Māori agribusiness advisory group) to represent the needs of Whenua Māori entities.

North Otago dairy farmers host B+LNZ’s Dairy Beef Progeny Test

Eager to add value to their non-replacement dairy calves, Hayden and Robyn Williams have put their hands up to host Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Dairy Beef Progeny Test.

image of beef cow herd infront of snowy mountain

B+LNZ puts genetics tools into farmers’ hands with new nProve Beef

Farmers now have a powerful new tool to help them select the best bulls for their farm business, with Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) launching nProve Beef, a free, easy-to-use online genetics tool.

image of boat infront of trade port in India

B+LNZ welcomes launch of free trade agreement negotiations with India

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) welcomes the New Zealand Government’s announcement that comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations have formally commenced with India.

McLanachan family builds on successful ryegrass trial

A B+LNZ-funded trial has shown a promising approach to winter forage production and soil protection. The McLanachan family successfully integrated annual ryegrass into their maize system, providing valuable winter feed while improving farm profitability.

E-diary notices: 14 March 2025

Spotted something in our weekly e-diary newsletters and need to refer to it again?

Part one: The Sherlock’s profitability journey

Two years ago, Waingaro farmers Jon and Fiona Sherlock were questioning the viability of their sheep and beef business. Struggling with a lack of profitability and the erosion of equity, the couple were left questioning how and why they were farming their 660ha hill country property.

Mary Bowron joins Wormwise

Highly experienced Marlborough veterinarian and sheep and beef farmer Mary Bowron will be joining the team at B+LNZ’s Wormwise Programme at the end of March.

Farmers needed for agriculture qualification review

Muka Tangata is leading qualification development in a project supported by B+LNZ to ensure the industry gains and retains a talented workforce. We’re seeking input from sheep, beef and deer farmers.

Will Wilding of Te Mania Angus for winning the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award

Te Mania Angus win three awards at Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards

North Canterbury sheep and beef farmer Will Wilding from Te Mania Angus won the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award at the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards last week.

Research investigates use of sensors for early disease detection in sheep

A research programme supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand is investigating the potential for using accelerometer sensors for early detection of conditions such as facial eczema (FE) in sheep.

image of B+LNZ Inc staff at National Lamb Day BBQ at parliament

E-diary notices: 7 March 2025

Have you received B+LNZ Annual Meeting and Western North Island director voting info?

image of B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland and MP at farmgate

Red meat prices and farm profitability rebounding

New Zealand’s red meat sector is on track for a strong rebound, with farm profitability and export returns expected to rise significantly in the 2024-25 season, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) Mid-Season Update.

Delivering in the regions

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is ramping up its regional delivery efforts with refreshed Regional Delivery Plans (RDPs), led by the Farmer Council, Kāhui, and our extension team.

Spotlight on incredible female lineup at Out the Gate 2025

With International Women’s Day being celebrated this Saturday 8 March, B+LNZ is using the opportunity to spotlight the incredible female speakers and facilitators lined up for Out the Gate 2025, taking place on Wednesday 26 March in Rotorua.

Southern farmers push boundaries with hogget lambing performance

Achieving a hogget lambing of 150% is not beyond the realms of possibility for a group of southern farmers who are already seeing this figure in their hogget scanning results.

E-diary notices: 28 February 2025

Spotted something in our weekly e-diary newsletters and need to refer to it again?

banner for Eliminating Facial Eczema programme

FE survey extended and simplified

B+LNZ has extended the Economic Impacts of Facial Eczema (FE) survey deadline to Friday 14 March 2025, giving farmers more time to participate and more chances to win. All farmers who take part go in the draw to win one of five Greenlea Meats vouchers.

Farmer involvement in environment policy crucial

A key theme at the recent B+LNZ Environment Reference Group (ERG) meeting was the importance of farmers getting involved in policy processes on the ground. The ERG provides critical feedback and advice for B+LNZ – find out more about the meeting and their role.

image of three students and mentor next to ute

Farmers’ voices heard in vocational education consultation

B+LNZ and Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) have made a joint submission on the future of work-based learning in response to the Government’s vocational education reforms. The submission is aimed to help to ensure the needs of sheep, beef, and deer farmers are considered as the system is redesigned.

Weaning is a good time to BCS cows to help with feed planning

Body Condition Scoring breeding cows at weaning will help farmers understand what fat reserves cows are carrying into winter and identify animals that may need extra feed.

image of national lamb day sponsors at BBQ holding lamb shanks

National Lamb Day a great success

National Lamb Day on 15 February 2025 was a great success with Kiwis nationwide getting behind the campaign to celebrate our world-leading lamb and the farmers who produce it.

image of Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust members

Congratulations to Ahuwhenua Trophy finalists

B+LNZ congratulates the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy Finalists: Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust, and Tawapata South Māori Incorporation Onenui Station.

E-diary notices: 21 February 2025

Calling on farmers to complete survey to find the real cost of FE, Applications close soon for B+LNZ Generation Next Programme

Voting underway as part of B+LNZ Annual Meeting

Keep an eye on your mailbox. Voting information for the 2025 B+LNZ Annual Meeting processes – including a director election for Western North Island voters – will be arriving over the coming days.

Preparing for sowing subterranean clover this autumn

Farmers intending to direct drill, oversow, or broadcast subterranean clovers into their dryland pastures this autumn should now be grazing those pastures down to 700-1000kgDM/ha.

B+LNZ says Gene Technology Bill represents potential opportunities, but issues must be worked through

While Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is supportive of a review of New Zealand’s gene technology legislation, it says it’s important to take the time to address a number of critical issues.

The heart of Growing Future Farmers

Dive into the podcast series showcasing the highly successful Growing Future Farmers programme that B+LNZ sponsors. Discover its inspiring beginnings, the people shaping it, and the students and farmers benefiting from the initiative.

B+LNZ showcases world-class farming to EU Ambassador

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) recently hosted the EU Ambassador H.E. Mr Lawrence Meredith and his staff on a New Zealand sheep and beef farm, offering them a firsthand look at how farmers embed sustainability practices in their daily work.

E-diary notices: 14 February 2025

Spotted something in our weekly e-diary newsletters and need to refer to it again?

B+LNZ Chair strengthening NZ-US ties

B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland is currently in the United States, strengthening our partnerships and ensuring we understand what is happening under the new Administration, given the US is one of our largest markets.

new zealand grasslands and rolling hills - sustainable agriculture

B+LNZ and Wormwise call for smarter funding

Vital agricultural research is at risk due to flaws in the current funding model, prompting B+LNZ and partner organisations to raise concerns with Minister Shane Reti. You may have seen recent news articles about the joint letter highlighting the issue.

Work-based learning consultation underway

The Government is currently consulting on vocational education reforms, which are set to reshape work-based learning. These changes will have a significant impact on training and career pathways for sheep, beef and deer farmers.

Body Condition Scoring pre-mating lifts ewe performance

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is encouraging farmers to body condition score their ewes at least six weeks out from mating to help maximise conception rates.

image of MPs and B+LNZ representatives at BBQ

Are you ready for National Lamb Day?

Kiwis across the country are firing up their BBQs on Saturday 15 February 2025 in celebration of National Lamb Day. It’s a great way to enjoy some lamb and celebrate our farmers.

Get your tickets for Out the Gate 2025

Sheep and beef farmers looking to tackle change with confidence won’t want to miss Out the Gate 2025, powered by the Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Farmer Council and Kāhui.

Cattle drench performance on the slide

Dairy grazers and farmers running R1 dairy beef are being urged to check the performance of their drenches after a recent cattle drench survey highlighted worrying levels of drench resistant worms.

Checking rams ahead of mating

To maximise the potential of next year’s lamb crop, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is reminding farmers to carry out an annual health check on their ram team eight to 10 weeks ahead of mating.

Latest developments in beef genetics on show at forum

Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in the beef industry at the
Beef Breeder Forum next month.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand says NDC announcement a missed opportunity

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says the Government’s announcement of a revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is disappointing and reiterates its call for New Zealand to revise its methane targets.

image of South Island B+LNZ team infront of hotel

E-diary notices: 31 January 2025

Save the date: Out the Gate Farmer Conference 2025, Celebrate National Lamb Day 2025, New Zealand’s red meat sector welcomes new trade agreement with UAE, Shearing wound protocol resource

Cool Sheep® programme features at Climate Change Conference

Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Cool Sheep® Programme Manager Dr Cynthia Lawrence highlighted the genetic tools available to help sheep farmers reduce their methane emissions at a recent Climate Change conference in Wellington.

Host an open farm event this March

New Zealand’s national Open Farm Day is set for Sunday 9 March 2025. This year Ed and Ro Palmer at Te Aratipi Station are hosting an open farm event and very much looking forward to welcoming people onto their farm.

Choosing legumes for dryland farming systems

Legumes drive productivity in dryland pastures, but to reap the benefits of these protein-rich plants, it is important to select the right legume for the right environment.

Welcome to Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Tickets for Out the Gate close today

Featured

E-diary notices: 21 March 2025

B+LNZ 2025 Western North Island Director election result announced

B+LNZ update on environmental policy advocacy

Meet B+LNZ’s Māori agribusiness advisory group

North Otago dairy farmers host B+LNZ’s Dairy Beef Progeny Test

B+LNZ puts genetics tools into farmers’ hands with new nProve Beef

B+LNZ welcomes launch of free trade agreement negotiations with India

McLanachan family builds on successful ryegrass trial

E-diary notices: 14 March 2025

Part one: The Sherlock’s profitability journey

Mary Bowron joins Wormwise

Farmers needed for agriculture qualification review

Te Mania Angus win three awards at Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Research investigates use of sensors for early disease detection in sheep

E-diary notices: 7 March 2025

Red meat prices and farm profitability rebounding

Delivering in the regions

Spotlight on incredible female lineup at Out the Gate 2025

Southern farmers push boundaries with hogget lambing performance

E-diary notices: 28 February 2025

FE survey extended and simplified

Farmer involvement in environment policy crucial

Farmers’ voices heard in vocational education consultation

Weaning is a good time to BCS cows to help with feed planning

National Lamb Day a great success

Congratulations to Ahuwhenua Trophy finalists

E-diary notices: 21 February 2025

Voting underway as part of B+LNZ Annual Meeting

Preparing for sowing subterranean clover this autumn

B+LNZ says Gene Technology Bill represents potential opportunities, but issues must be worked through

The heart of Growing Future Farmers

B+LNZ showcases world-class farming to EU Ambassador

E-diary notices: 14 February 2025

B+LNZ Chair strengthening NZ-US ties

B+LNZ and Wormwise call for smarter funding

Work-based learning consultation underway

Body Condition Scoring pre-mating lifts ewe performance

Are you ready for National Lamb Day?

Get your tickets for Out the Gate 2025

Cattle drench performance on the slide

Checking rams ahead of mating

Latest developments in beef genetics on show at forum

Beef + Lamb New Zealand says NDC announcement a missed opportunity

E-diary notices: 31 January 2025

Cool Sheep® programme features at Climate Change Conference

Host an open farm event this March

Choosing legumes for dryland farming systems

Find events in your region

Events in your region

Out the Gate 2025

Beef + Lamb New Zealand 2025 Annual Meeting

B+LNZ Focus Group Workshops: Canterbury