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Guidance on managing shearing cuts

Farmers can now access a factsheet and poster to inform conversations with shearing contractors about what processes to follow in the unlikely event of sheep being cut or injured while being shorn. Find these and other animal welfare-related resources in the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub.

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E-diary notices: 23 May 2025

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

Winter weed control in lucerne

To optimise lucerne yields over spring and summer, farmers are reminded to implement a winter weed control programme after hard grazing their stands in late autumn or early winter.

B+LNZ Chair’s recent international advocacy

Kate Acland recently visited Ireland, the UK, Europe and the US to meet with international counterparts and advocate on key issues such as EU deforestation regulation, US trade and climate change policy settings. The value of hosting delegations on NZ farms was also underlined.

image of field day attendees at field day aerial view

Highlights from B+LNZ’s Whenua Māori Hub Farm

Around 140 people from across the East Coast recently gathered at Tutumatai Station, near Ruatōria, to learn about the farm’s journey over the past year under B+LNZ’s Whenua Māori Hub Farm programme.

Major step in understanding Facial Eczema in livestock

A significant breakthrough in understanding Facial Eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease's devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.

GFF open days for farm trainers and future cadets

For those interested in what it takes to become a farm trainer or looking to take their first step into a farming career, Growing Future Farmers (GFF) is hosting four open days across the country this June, and an online session in July.

image of sheep in focus and out of focus on nz farm

Sheep and beef farmers approve B+LNZ involvement in foot and mouth disease agreement

Sheep and beef farmers have voted to approve Beef + Lamb New Zealand signing an Operational Agreement between the agricultural sector and the Government on foot and mouth disease readiness and response.

image of team listening to host on farm tour

E-diary notices: 16 May 2025

Voting on foot and mouth disease agreement CLOSES TODAY, B+LNZ’s bottom lines on climate change policy, New and improved B+LNZ event registration, Registrations open for AWDT UYFB programme

B+LNZ’s bottom lines on climate change policy

This was sent to farmers on 15 May 2025.

Image of catchment group infront of dry pastures

East Otago Catchment Group delivering for the environment

Catchment groups across the country are working hard to deliver environmental outcomes such as improved water quality, soil health, biodiversity, climate change resilience and adaptation.

Sheep and beef farming gaining in favourability with the public

A recent survey undertaken by Primary Purpose shows an increasing appreciation from New Zealanders for our country’s food-producing industries, with sheep and beef farming at its highest favourabilty since the survey started in 2019.

Consultation on updated code of welfare

Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the proposed updated code of welfare for sheep and beef cattle, released for public consultation appears to take a balanced approach to ensuring stock owners ensure the welfare of the animals in their care.

image of sheep and lambs in front of snowy mountain

Quarantine drench essential when buying in lambs

Quarantine drenching with four unrelated drench actives followed by a strict quarantine protocol will help farmers minimise the risk of importing multi-drench resistant worms onto their property when buying in lambs.

image of Sonya Shaw infront of dairy cows

Ten more commercial beef farmers join INZB programme

Ten more commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the ground-breaking Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.

Grazing system highlighted at B+LNZ Monitor Farm field day

A recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Te Pahu Monitor Farm field day focused on how the use of cell grazing systems to intensify hill country had impacted positively on the farm’s bottom line.

image of B+LNZ Extension Manager and DairyNZ colleague

E-diary notices: 7 May 2025

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

Improving our event registration processes

From next week, if you’re registering for a B+LNZ event you might notice a few changes. They’re part of improving our connection with farmers and access to our tools and resources. Find out more about the real benefits of having a B+LNZ online account.

Dr Mitloehner shares insights on methane

World-renowned methane expert Dr Frank Mitloehner visited New Zealand on his way to Australia, where he is being hosted by Cattle Australia. During his visit, he shared the value he sees in working with farmers to reduce agricultural emissions. He advocates for a ‘carrot’ rather than ‘club’ approach and supports managing methane emissions to best control warming.

image of younger male talking to older farmer in the sunset

Rural Support Trust Report shows strong impact for rural communities

On 6 May, the Rural Support Trust (RST) released the Rural Support Impact Report highlighting its important work supporting rural communities and the positive impact it has had across New Zealand.

Care required when transitioning cattle onto winter forage crops

Time, attention to detail and patience are required to minimise the risk of animal health issues when transitioning stock onto winter forage crops.

image of field day attendees outside shed

E-diary notices: 2 May 2025

Voting underway on foot and mouth disease agreement, Dairy farmers – on the move? Update NAIT this Moving Day 2025

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Further updates on advocacy

B+LNZ has followed up with the Government on issues relating to limits on carbon forestry and the need for more time on gene technology legislation. We have also organised farmer information events and are undertaking international advocacy.

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Meeting the need with millions of meals

In recent months, Meat the Need & Feed Out, a charity connecting farmers and food producers with struggling families across New Zealand has rebranded and had a change of leadership.

Selective drenching halves drench use

Building on earlier success, further trials of targeted selected treatment using SmartWorm® across diverse farming systems have shown that drench use can be substantially reduced without major impacts on lamb growth.

Unlocking the potential of hogget lambing

Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s recently revised Unlocking the Potential of Hogget Lambing book contains a wealth of practical information for sheep farmers wanting to maximise production in their ewe lambs.

Lessons learnt from involvement in B+LNZ’s Beef Progeny Test

Ten years on from his involvement in Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Beef Progeny Test, Matt Smith is applying many of the same principles to the beef herds he oversees today.

image of two mean at expo leaning over gate with cellphone

E-diary notices: 25 April 2025

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

B+LNZ showcasing dairy beef work at SIDE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand recently attended the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) to promote how we provide value for dairy farmers for their beef levies. Established in 1998, SIDE has grown to become New Zealand’s premier dairy conference and the largest event of its type in the country.

Sheep and beef farmers well represented in 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards

The annual round of regional Ballance Farm Environment Awards has wrapped up, with sheep and beef farmers winning five of the ten regional Supreme Award.

image of Bella in Pamu uniform in stock yards

Farm technician’s dream job

Bella Taylor is living her dream.

image of sub clover and small white flowers

Autumn sub clover management sets up pastures for spring

Recent widespread autumn rain will have triggered the germination of subterranean clover seeds and the resulting seedlings should be allowed to reach the 3–4 trifoliate leaf stage before grazing.

image of B+LNZ farmer councillor and Alan

E-diary notices: 18 April 2025

Voting underway on foot and mouth disease agreement, B+LNZ says more detail needed on freshwater farm plans

B+LNZ says more detail needed on freshwater farm plans

Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the latest announcement on the revised freshwater farm plans system shows encouraging signs but because a lot of detail is still missing, concerns remain for sheep and beef farmers.

Find events in your region

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Welcome to Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Guidance on managing shearing cuts

Featured

E-diary notices: 23 May 2025

Winter weed control in lucerne

B+LNZ Chair’s recent international advocacy

Highlights from B+LNZ’s Whenua Māori Hub Farm

Major step in understanding Facial Eczema in livestock

GFF open days for farm trainers and future cadets

Sheep and beef farmers approve B+LNZ involvement in foot and mouth disease agreement

E-diary notices: 16 May 2025

B+LNZ’s bottom lines on climate change policy

East Otago Catchment Group delivering for the environment

Sheep and beef farming gaining in favourability with the public

Consultation on updated code of welfare

Quarantine drench essential when buying in lambs

Ten more commercial beef farmers join INZB programme

Grazing system highlighted at B+LNZ Monitor Farm field day

E-diary notices: 7 May 2025

Improving our event registration processes

Dr Mitloehner shares insights on methane

Rural Support Trust Report shows strong impact for rural communities

Care required when transitioning cattle onto winter forage crops

E-diary notices: 2 May 2025

Further updates on advocacy

Meeting the need with millions of meals

Selective drenching halves drench use

Unlocking the potential of hogget lambing

Lessons learnt from involvement in B+LNZ’s Beef Progeny Test

E-diary notices: 25 April 2025

B+LNZ showcasing dairy beef work at SIDE

Sheep and beef farmers well represented in 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Farm technician’s dream job

Autumn sub clover management sets up pastures for spring

E-diary notices: 18 April 2025

B+LNZ says more detail needed on freshwater farm plans

Find events in your region

Events in your region

B+LNZ Farmer Forum with Minister Hoggard

B+LNZ National Webinar Series: Grow Your Own People, Grow your Farm

B+LNZ Wormwise Workshops