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The team supporting Māori farming businesses

Māori farming businesses are a major part of New Zealand's sheep and beef sector, managing significant areas of productive farmland and contributing substantially to the red meat industry.

DBO puts Finishing Value to the test

B+LNZ led the first pilot trial of Finishing Value (FV) as part of the Dairy Beef Opportunities programme at a recent Frankton calf sale. FV is being trialled as a tool to help buyers make more informed decisions by indicating calves’ estimated genetic potential for growth.

Growing successful forage crops

Successful forage crops don’t happen by chance, it is the decisions made pre and post establishment that determine the outcome. This was one of the messages from a recent B+LNZ field day in Tasman.

B+LNZ contributes to international research on nutrition and sustainability

Two papers featuring B+LNZ contributions to beef research are published in a special edition of Animal Frontiers, an international scientific journal.

image of two ewes grazing on hill country pastures

Road testing different Faecal Egg Count methods

There is a saying: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it”.

Image of Charles on farm in B+LNZ branded shirt

E-diary notices: 23 October 2026

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

Campaign encourages farmers to better manage farm waste

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is supporting a six-week nationwide campaign encouraging farmers to develop waste management strategies for their farm and highlighting the recycling pathways and programmes available to them.

Red meat sector welcomes India-New Zealand trade agreement entering into force

New Zealand’s red meat sector has welcomed the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement taking effect, removing India’s 33 per cent tariff on New Zealand sheepmeat.

Seeing top stock performance in practice

More than 70 farmers gathered recently for a B+LNZ Marlborough Farming for Profit field day focused on what top stock performance look like in practice.

B+LNZ representing farmers at US Lamb Safeguard hearing

The following was emailed to farmers on 19 October 2026.

E-diary notices: 16 October 2026

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, Value Chain Innovation Programme applications open, Help meet the rising need for food support in Aotearoa, Involved with crossbred wool? Your perspective is valuable.

Representing our farmers in the UK and Europe

B+LNZ is representing our farmers’ interests where it matters. Staff recently spent time engaging with policymakers, industry leaders and NGOs in London, Geneva, Brussels and Rome, focusing on free trade opportunities, policies, taking a split gas approach to methane, challenging trade barriers, and opportunities for collaboration.

100kg calves – beware the worms they’re bringing with them

Over the next few months, thousands of 100kg Friesian bulls and dairy beef calves will move from rearers to beef traders and finishers.
Wormwise manager Ginny Dodunski warns about unwanted passengers.

Laying the foundations for virtual fencing

Around 70 farmers gathered recently for a B+LNZ virtual fencing workshop in Ohakune to learn how to get the most from the technology.

Driving better lamb survival through Focus Group

Farmers in B+LNZ’s Western North Island Lamb Survival Focus Group are finding practical ways to reduce lamb losses by sharing ideas, challenging each other and putting new knowledge into practice.

Plan some time off farm this Summer

With summer just around the corner, B+LNZ is encouraging farmers and rural professionals to plan some time off farm and make the most of opportunities to connect with others, try something new, and recharge.

Early weaning benefits whole farm system

Farmers with high-quality feed available in late spring could consider weaning at least a proportion of their lamb crop early to benefit both lambs and ewes.

E-diary notices: 9 October 2026

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

Making the most of good times

Around 230 farmers and rural professionals gathered at B+LNZ's Big Dine In in New Plymouth to hear the latest sector updates, discuss opportunities for on-farm improvement and connect with others passionate about the future of sheep and beef farming.

Celebrating World Iron Awareness Week

World Iron Awareness Week (WIAW) runs from 12-18 October 2026. The week is all about awareness of iron deficiency anaemia and highlights the important role iron-rich foods play in a balanced diet. Red meat like New Zealand beef and lamb are key sources of easily absorbed dietary iron.

Making every tonne of supplementary feed count

As farmers start turning spring surpluses into supplementary feed, Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s “Making every tonne count” webinar has some excellent advice on how to maximise the quality silage and balea

MNNI Farmer Council reflects on a year of regional impact

The Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Mid Northern North Island (MNNI) Farmer Council AGM, held in Te Awamutu, brought together farmers, Farmer Councillors and B+LNZ staff to reflect on a year of regional delivery, farmer-led priorities and the opportunities ahead for the region.

E-diary notices: 2 October 2026

Sign up for the Dairy Beef Opportunities e-newsletter, Rural Leadership Advancement Scholarship 2026 now open, WorkSafe inspectors head to farms in proactive safety push and Involved with crossbred wool? Your perspective is valuable.

Red Meat Sector Conference - outlook remains positive for exports

More than 350 people gathered in Wellington this week for a highly successful annual Red Meat Sector Conference, which is organised by the Meat Industry Association in partnership with Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

image of B+LNZ branded hat infront of sheep yard

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.

Politicians debate solutions for rural issues

Proposed solutions for the major issues facing the rural sector were argued at the lively 2026 Rural Issues Debate.

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.

Meet Bella – your B+LNZ Knowledge Hub assistant

Like any good heading dog, Bella (Beef + Lamb Assistant) will listen to your commands – tell her what you want to know and she’ll round up an answer from the Knowledge Hub in no time.

Ask Bella How Bella can help