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B+LNZ quarterly activity update September 2026

The following was emailed to farmers on 28 September 2026

Virtual fencing sparks discussion in Northland

More than 100 Northland farmers gathered in Kaingaroa recently to explore how virtual fencing technology is helping improve farm management, productivity and flexibility on-farm.

Should you drench your ewes at tail docking?

With ewes and lambs coming to the yards at tail docking, it’s tempting to drench the ewes ‘while they’re here’. Wormwise vet Mary Bowron urges farmers to consider the variables before getting out the drench gun. Do ewes actually need a drench at tail docking? Well, it depends!

Lloyd Smith dog training workshops prove popular

Sheep dogs are the tools of trade on sheep and beef farms and are amongst the most valuable members of the farm team.

Late spring management to build subterranean clover populations

Subterranean clover comes into its own in spring and Beef + Lamb New Zealand has a number of resources to help farmers make the most of this powerhouse legume.

E-diary notices: 25 September 2026

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

New resource management laws welcomed, but practical rules will be the real test

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says the passage of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill is positive for sheep and beef farmers, but the detailed rules will determine whether the new system delivers on its ambition.

Politicians to go head-to-head on primary sector policy at Rural Issues Debate

Leading figures from the major political parties will be grilled on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate next Wednesday, 30 September. It will be livestreamed from Hamilton’s Mystery Creek Events Centre – tune in on the NZ Herald website at 7.30pm.

Establishing lucerne to maximise stand productivity

Attention to detail when establishing lucerne this spring will help maximise stand productivity and longevity.

Supporting stronger Māori farming businesses

Māori farming businesses make a significant contribution to New Zealand's sheep and beef sector, with many operating under unique ownership structures, long-term aspirations and intergenerational decision-making models. Māori make up nearly 40 percent of the meat processing workforce, and more than 15 percent of sheep and beef exports come from Māori farming interests.

Investing in our sector's future

B+LNZ invests in growing, training and retaining people in our sector. By working alongside industry partners, educators and employers, we're helping build a thriving sheep and beef farming community through education, leadership development, career pathways and lifelong learning. View the latest from our work in investing in our sector’s future through our people.

E-diary notices: 18 September 2026

New Season Outlook 2026–27 podcast, Celebrating Māori Language Week (14 to 20 September) and Rural Leadership Advancement Scholarship 2026 now open

image of research group on farm sampling soil

Making every drop of rain count

B+LNZ-funded research has shown that some simple changes to pasture management could help farmers make better use of rainfall and build resilience before dry conditions hit.

Farmers urged to be vigilant as salmonella cases increase

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is urging sheep and beef farmers to be vigilant about their on-farm biosecurity after an increase in the number of reported cases of Salmonella Brandenburg in cattle in Taranaki.

When should I start drenching the calves I'm rearing?

Wormwise vet Mary Bowron urges calf rearers to think twice before reaching for the drench gun, as coccidiosis may be the cause of scours in young calves.

Right grass in the right place

A recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand workshop highlighted the value of a growing a range of pasture plants with the aim of having a constant supply of quality feed throughout the year.

E-diary notices: 11 September 2026

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

Planning next year’s winter forage crops

As farmers begin thinking about establishing next year’s winter forage crops, B+LNZ is encouraging farmers to carefully consider what crops they are planting and where.

Pushing feed forward for summer

If you’re thinking about investing in ways to push feed forward, this is the year to do it.

Farmgate red meat prices forecast to remain strong but margins tighten

Sheep and beef farmers can expect continued strong red meat returns in 2026–27 but Beef + Lamb New Zealand is warning that margins are likely to tighten.

image of farmer at social evening B+LNZ event

Good buggers, great stories in Timaru

Around 120 farmers and rural professionals gathered in Timaru recently for Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Central South Island Showcase: Good Buggers, Great Stories.

E-diary notices: 4 September 2026

Complete our sheep genetics survey, Resources available for lambing in bad weather, Apply now for Primary ITO Production Management course

Do your cattle need a spring drench?

Cattle often get a drench in the springtime, but this may not be necessary for all animals.  Wormwise consultant and vet Mary Bowron explains the variables that need to be taken into consideration.

B+LNZ leadership scholarship applications now open

Six livestock farmers will have the opportunity to build their leadership skills and expand their impact on the sector through the Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Rural Leadership Advancement Scholarship programme.

Happy first birthday Bella!

One year in, Bella, our Beef + Lamb Assistant powered by AI, is proving her worth. Trained on B+LNZ’s Knowledge Hub resources, she’s helping farmers round up trusted information and practical answers they can put to work on farm.

DAGI is now live – helping farmers make the invisible visible

Worm challenge isn’t always easy to see. DAGI (Drench and Grazing Integration) makes it visible, using paddock traffic lights to show wormy paddocks and help farmers make better grazing decisions. After nine months of beta trials, DAGI is now live, with Beef + Lamb New Zealand as a proud funding partner.

image of Lamb survival focus group looking at lamb autopsy

Using post-mortems to aid lamb survival

A quick lamb post- mortem can be a valuable tool for identifying any underlying diseases or ewe management issues that could be contributing to lamb losses.

Image of farmers cutting and preparing meat for event

E-diary notices: 28 August 2026

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

image of farmer overlooking sheep infront of pine trees

What the Opportunity Party policies could mean

In the run-up to the General Election, a number of farmers have asked us what the Opportunity Party’s policies could mean for sheep and beef farm businesses.

image of black angus cows infront of wooden gate

B+LNZ: Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment report on the ETS a helpful contribution to discussion

Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report on the current design of New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme supports many of B+LNZ’s positions and will encourage important discussions.

image of Annabel, Sarah and Ginny with newborn lambs

Veterinary lubricant valuable lambing tool

Farmers at a recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand Lamb Survival Focus Group in North Canterbury heard how veterinary lubricant – and lots of it – can help get the best outcome when lambing ewes.

image of Zowie Ransfield B+LNZ Digital Content & Website Manager and Will Jerffares B+LNZ Comms Specialist

E-diary notices: 7 August 2026

Want to feature in our 2027 Parasite Management Calendar?

Find events in your region

Events in your region

All events

B+LNZ Southern South Island Farmer Council Annual Meeting 2026

Wed 28 Oct

Southland

All events

Rural Leadership Advancement Scholarship 2026 – applications now open

B+LNZ is offering a $4,000 contribution towards a place on any Rural Leaders programme for six livestock farmers to advance their leadership skills and impact on the sector.  Applications close 11 October 2026.

Find out more

Welcome to Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Featured

B+LNZ quarterly activity update September 2026

Virtual fencing sparks discussion in Northland

Should you drench your ewes at tail docking?

Lloyd Smith dog training workshops prove popular

Late spring management to build subterranean clover populations

E-diary notices: 25 September 2026

New resource management laws welcomed, but practical rules will be the real test

Politicians to go head-to-head on primary sector policy at Rural Issues Debate

Establishing lucerne to maximise stand productivity

Supporting stronger Māori farming businesses

Investing in our sector's future

E-diary notices: 18 September 2026

Making every drop of rain count

Farmers urged to be vigilant as salmonella cases increase

When should I start drenching the calves I'm rearing?

Right grass in the right place

E-diary notices: 11 September 2026

Planning next year’s winter forage crops

Pushing feed forward for summer

Farmgate red meat prices forecast to remain strong but margins tighten

Good buggers, great stories in Timaru

E-diary notices: 4 September 2026

Do your cattle need a spring drench?

B+LNZ leadership scholarship applications now open

Happy first birthday Bella!

DAGI is now live – helping farmers make the invisible visible

Using post-mortems to aid lamb survival

E-diary notices: 28 August 2026

What the Opportunity Party policies could mean

B+LNZ: Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment report on the ETS a helpful contribution to discussion

Veterinary lubricant valuable lambing tool

E-diary notices: 7 August 2026

Find events in your region

Events in your region

B+LNZ Southern South Island Farmer Council Annual Meeting 2026

Rural Leadership Advancement Scholarship 2026 – applications now open