Final season of Sheep Poo Study – farmers needed nationwide, Celebrating our Rural Women’s Day (15 October), MPI guide to the new Animal Status Declaration, World Iron Awareness Week (13–19 October)
This page contains this week’s e-diary national notices.
If there’s something you want to know specific to your region, contact your local extension manager – find their details here.
To sign up to e-diaries, create/login to a B+LNZ online account, go to ‘Account settings’ and select the e-diary box – you’ll be asked to pick which region/s you want to receive e-diaries for.
See elsewhere on our website for other e-diary info:
This week’s notices:
Important information about sheep measles
Sheep measles prevalence is spiking, and the following action is strongly recommended: treat every dog monthly with a praziquantel-based wormicide and give an all-wormer every third month; ensure any visiting dogs are dosed 48 hours before arriving on the property; freeze raw sheep or goat meat at -10°C for at least 10 days or cook it thoroughly before feeding to dogs; prevent town and roaming dogs from accessing grazing areas; dispose of dead livestock quickly and appropriately. For more information see the Ovis Management website.
Nominations for director role open (ENI)
B+LNZ is calling for nominations for the farmer director role in the Eastern North Island electoral district as part of the 2026 Annual Meeting process. Under the requirements of B+LNZ’s Constitution, current director Patrick Crawshaw must retire by rotation at the 2026 Annual Meeting. He has indicated he will stand for re-election. Director elections are an important part of ensuring the B+LNZ Board represents the interests of farmers. For more information on this and other Annual Meeting voting processes, see our recent media release.
Nominations for director role open (SSI)
B+LNZ is calling for nominations for the farmer director role in the Southern South Island electoral district as part of the 2026 Annual Meeting process. Current director Geoffrey Young has advised that he will retire from the Board at the time of the Annual Meeting. Director elections are an important part of ensuring the B+LNZ Board represents the interests of farmers. For more information on this and other Annual Meeting voting processes, see our recent media release.
Ram nominations for Sheep Progeny Test close soon
Breeders have until Friday 21 November to nominate rams for the 2026-mating of the Sheep Central Progeny Test (CPT). Nominations are open to Maternal and Terminal sires. Successful rams will be used at both the North Island and South Island hub sites, allowing their progeny’s performance to be evaluated across two environments. Access the nomination form here.
Surfing for Farmers kicks off
Surfing for Farmers is kicking off in 25 regions across the country this summer, giving farmers the opportunity to get off the farm for a couple of hours every week and have some fun while learning a new skill. All gear and tuition is supplied and each session ends with a BBQ. All members of the farm team are welcome to come along and no experience is necessary. B+LNZ is proud to be a Community Partner of Surfing for Farmers. Find your nearest location on the Surfing for Farmers website.
Have your say on Otago’s Biodiversity Strategy
Otago Regional Council is seeking feedback on its draft indigenous biodiversity strategy. Farmers play a vital role in maintaining indigenous biodiversity on their land, and your feedback and examples will help shape priorities and ensure the strategy works for rural communities. Consultation closes on 30 November. You can view the draft strategy and have your say via a survey on the ORC website or email written feedback to [email protected]