B+LNZ quarterly activity update March 2026

Welcome to this quarter’s snapshot of levy funded work underway.

We know there’s a lot of concern among farmers about current and potential impacts of the Iran conflict and fuel shortages.

B+LNZ is in close contact with the Government feeding in information about farmers’ fuel needs to ensure you’re able to keep operating now and particularly if NZ needs to move to fuel rationing. This work is informed by B+LNZ’s Sheep & Beef Farm Survey data. 

We’ll keep farmers updated and will share resources as they become available. If fuel alert levels change we’ll reassess some B+LNZ operations and may move events online. Our advice for now is to keep in close contact with processors, your fertiliser representative and other support businesses to plan ahead. We’ll keep you updated on any developments.

Championing farming excellence

A new diagnostic tool to accelerate parasite management

• B+LNZ has been working with Awanui Veterinary on a new DNA-based test that identifies specific parasites.
• The test, used in conjunction with faecal egg counts, will make parasite management quicker and more accurate for farmers. Traditional larval culture tests take up to two weeks for results and can miss early infections. The new test (called GIN PCR) identifies parasite DNA directly from faecal samples, with results available in under three working days.
• Early detection helps prevent stock losses, improves parasite management decisions and reduces the risk of resistance building on farm. The test has been developed and validated in NZ with B+LNZ funding and is due for official launch in April 2026. B+LNZ recently joined The Country to discuss this research in more detail.

nProve Tracker

• B+LNZ is preparing to launch an exciting new digital tool that will give farmers clearer insight into how sire genetics are shaping their replacement ewe flock. Developed through the joint B+LNZ–MPI Cool Sheep® Programme, nProve Tracker has been designed with farmers, for farmers. The tool will show how sire genetics flow into the replacement ewe flock and how a flock’s genetic trends shift over time. The tool will work across all traits and be released as part of the nProve suite of online genetic tools.
• nProve Tracker will also follow low methane genetics from sires used into the flock to estimate methane outputs via a scorecard, giving farmers genetic based data for greenhouse gas reporting if they choose to do it.
• Look out for nProve Tracker at the upcoming B+LNZ Sheep Breeder Forum and Out the Gate events.

Dairy Beef Opportunities programme

• The Government has confirmed funding for the new $20.9 million Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.
• This is a strong example of collaboration across the dairy and beef industries. B+LNZ, DairyNZ, the Meat Industry Association, dairy companies and MPI are working together to lift the value of non-replacement dairy calves and create new opportunities for farmers.
• Following the announcement, B+LNZ hosted a dairy-beef workshop at Opepe Station near Taupō, giving farmers the chance to hear more about the programme and the practical opportunities it will create on farm. Find out more about the programme here.

Calf rearers’ survey

• B+LNZ and DairyNZ partnered with Massey University on a national survey to build a clearer picture of how calves are reared across NZ. Calf rearing is a growing opportunity, but until now there has been very little data behind it.
• The response was excellent, with 699 completed surveys – a big thank you to all who took part. These insights will help identify opportunities to improve calf performance and profitability and guide future research.

Massey calf rearing trial

• B+LNZ is supporting Massey University’s calf-rearing trial, which is testing a frontloaded milk-feeding system to improve early growth without increasing rearing costs.
• All 160 dairy-beef calves have now reached the 100kg exit weight. Early observations show the frontloaded system was easier to manage, with calmer calves and better access to milk for slower drinkers. Final analysis is underway, with results expected in April.

Cool Beef

• B+LNZ, the Ag Emissions Centre and BSI AgResearch Group are getting underway on the new Cool Beef programme, building on the success of Cool Sheep. The work will help farmers identify cattle that are more feed efficient and lower emitting, without compromising productivity.
• The programme will measure around 2,000 animals for feed efficiency and collect 3,000 methane records, including data from Beef Progeny Test animals. Early work is already underway, with 256 heifers completing Feed Efficiency and Portable Accumulation Chamber measurements.
• This work will be complemented by our involvement in the Bluegrass project, which is currently in the contracting process. Additional measures will be collected through this project, which is run out of the University of New England and involves NZ, Australia, the UK, Ireland and the US.

Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts (EFEI)

• Facial eczema (FE), despite what the name suggests, is a serious liver disease for sheep and cattle, and this season’s conditions are again highlighting the importance of staying ahead of spore risk.
• B+LNZ has updated the EFEI webpages with practical information and tools for farmers, including management advice and regional risk updates. These resources are available here.
• We’re also hosting a midseason webinar on Wednesday 8 April to share early findings from the final season of the Sheep Poo Study – register here to join. B+LNZ has also joined The Country for a series of mythbusting podcasts to give farmers clear, science-based answers to common FE questions.
• And if you want to test your own knowledge, keep an eye out for our Friday FE quiz on B+LNZ’s social media channels.

New members join Genetics Advisory Group

• Two new members, Grant Keen and Julie Hardwick-Smith, have recently joined B+LNZ’s Sheep Genetics Advisory Group (SGAG).
• SGAG is a joint initiative between B+LNZ’s genetics team and industry representatives, established to provide a broad range of perspectives that helps inform B+LNZ Genetics decision‑making. More information, including the full list of SGAG members, can be found here.

Integrating IMF data into the national sheep genetic evaluation

• B+LNZ has been working toward including on‑farm, live‑animal ultrasound measurements of intramuscular fat (IMF) for sheep in the NZ Genetic Evaluation, helping overcome the cost and scale limitations of post‑slaughter IMF testing.
• A two‑year calibration study has been completed, scanning around 250 pedigreed Sheep Progeny Test animals each year and comparing the ultrasound results with wet‑chemistry lab measurements. The project is now entering its final development stage, and if this step passes the science review, breeding values are expected to be available in nProve later this year.
• B+LNZ is committed to ongoing development of this technology and the potential for new tools. For example, systems that capture eye-muscle images for AI-based IMF scoring are already emerging in the beef sector. Over time, building an image library linked to animal information will support further development and validation of these technologies.

Refreshed extension programme

• B+LNZ’s refreshed extension programme is progressing well, and farmers across the country are already seeing the benefits of a new approach to farmer-led learning.
• One of the key parts of this refreshed approach is the B+LNZ Focus Group model – small, topic-driven groups that bring together farmers who want to explore a specific aspect of their business in depth, share experiences, and put practical learnings into action. Groups are active in nearly every corner of the country and on an impressive range of topics – see more info here.

People and capability

• B+LNZ has selected two farmers to represent NZ at the 2026 Global Sheep Producers Forum as part of the 2026 Global Sheep Forum Next Generation programme. Congratulations to Grace Pettit (Tararua) and Carey Pawson-Edwards (South Canterbury) who will head to Adelaide in July to build capability, share knowledge, and strengthen connections across the global sheep sector. B+LNZ is a founding member of the Global Sheep Forum. More info here.
• This year marks 10 years of B+LNZ's highly successful Generation Next programme. More info here. Later this year an official celebration with alumni and supporters will take place.
• B+LNZ has announced the ten recipients of the inaugural 2026 B+LNZ Agricultural Student Scholarship, created to support emerging leaders in New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector – see here for info.
• We also announced the six recipients of the 2025 Rural Advancement Scholarship, for programmes starting in 2026. Each recipient received a cash contribution towards completing any Rural Leaders Programme – see this recent story.

Māori agribusiness

• We recently held an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology Field Day at Tangihanga Station, as part of ongoing work with the Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable Trust – see this recent story.
• We’re also continuing our work with rural communities and partners supporting recovery from adverse weather events, such as this work in Tairāwhiti.

Advocacy and trade

• We continue to monitor the trade situation with the US – there have been some positive developments lately although there are still concerns about lamb imports.

RMA reform

• This legislation remains one of the most important areas of B+LNZ’s policy work at present. We continue to meet with Ministers and officials about the replacement legislation as it’s critical we get it right.
• B+LNZ recently provided an oral submission at Parliament’s Environment Select Committee. Access a recording of our oral submission here.
• We’ll keep farmers informed about next steps.

Sheep traceability consultation

• MPI is consulting on options to improve sheep traceability to support faster responses to disease outbreaks such as foot and mouth disease. Consultation closes on Sunday 5 April and B+LNZ will make a submission on behalf of farmers.
• B+LNZ supports making mob-based tracing mandatory via electronic ASDs, as it builds on existing requirements and is simpler to implement. Find out more here. You can also watch a recording of B+LNZ’s recent webinar about this here.

Thanks for reading

If you have any questions, please get in touch.

 Finally, the B+LNZ Awards finalists have been announced – congratulations to all the amazing finalists – and tickets are now on sale to the Awards Dinner. This year the dinner is part of Out the Gate 2026, which will be held in Christchurch – this promises to be a must-attend event, bringing Out the Gate, the Sheep Breeders Forum and the B+LNZ Awards together in one programme. You can learn more about Out the Gate here (includes links to all events).