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Foot and mouth disease Operational Agreement – farmer vote

B+LNZ is seeking farmer approval to join an Operational Agreement between the agricultural sector and the Government on foot and mouth disease readiness and response. Voting closes at 2pm on Friday 16 May 2025.

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Responding to questions on gene tech

Farmers have asked B+LNZ for more information on the complex topic of gene technology.

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.

B+LNZ highlights benefits of Winter Grazing Plans

Farmers intensively grazing forage crops this winter are encouraged to finalise their Winter Grazing Plans and have all infrastructure in place before transitioning stock onto crops.

Showcasing excellence in Māori farming

The two 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy finalists (Whangaroa Ngaitonga Trust and Tawapata South Māori Incorporation Onenui Station) recently held their field day showcasing excellence in Māori sheep and beef farming. As a sponsor, B+LNZ staff are actively involved in helping bring the awards to life from judging to event facilitation and on-the-ground support.

B+LNZ says GHG inventory shows farmers already playing their part

Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the release of New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory clearly shows agriculture is playing its part in emissions reductions and there is no need for a price on agricultural emissions.

image of ute following herd of cows on dusty road

Voting underway on B+LNZ joining foot and mouth disease agreement

Sheep and beef levypayers are being asked to show support for Beef + Lamb New Zealand joining an Operational Agreement between the agricultural sector and the Government on foot and mouth disease readiness and response.

image of boys and girls laughing around laptop

Farmer Time for Schools celebrates growing student numbers

Farmer Time for Schools has seen further growth in student participation in the past year, connecting more learners with farmers across the country to give them a view of life on the farm.

image of Farmer Council and Kāhui posing for group photo

B+LNZ Farmer Council and Kāhui connect at 2025 conference

B+LNZ Farmer Councillors and Kāhui from across the country recently gathered for their annual conference, held this year in Rotorua coinciding with Out the Gate 2025.

image of South Island extension team on farm

E-diary notices: 11 April 2025

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

Gene technology update

We know there’s a lot of discussion around gene technology (or GE or GMOs) so we wanted to provide an update for farmers on the legislation currently being considered.

Foot and mouth disease agreement vote

Next week, information will be sent to everyone on B+LNZ’s electoral roll about the farmer vote on B+LNZ joining the foot and mouth disease Operational Agreement between the Government and agriculture sector. Here’s what you need to know.

image of farmer on bike on nz rural road

B+LNZ welcomes report examining the drivers of forestry in NZ

Beef + Lamb New Zealand has welcomed a new report released by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton that shows current policies, particularly settings under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), are driving a wave of land-use change to carbon forestry with significant environmental, economic and social risks.

image of Tom Orchinston pointing at mountains

Judging the best of the best

B+LNZ is a national sponsor of the Ballance Farm Environment Trust Awards run by the NZ Farm Environment Trust, they champion sustainable farming and growing. We're not just sponsors of the awards though; we’re actively involved in the judging process too.

Government backing for wool a boost for farmers and rural communities

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) welcomes the Government’s decision to encourage the use of wool in public buildings.

image of workshop attendee around whiteboard

B+LNZ Focus Groups kick off in Wairarapa/Tararua

B+LNZ Focus Groups, a new small group learning initiative, is rolling out across the country. Four groups in the Wairarapa and Tararua area recently met to kick off their financial management learning journey.

Simon Quilty’s take on global market and trade

A highlight from Out the Gate 2025 was global meat market expert, Simon Quilty’s in-depth analysis of the impacts and outlooks for New Zealand red meat trade. Watch his presentation and a follow up where he answers farmers questions.

Making the most of summer forage crops

Planning for next summer’s forage crops starts now. This was the message given to farmers at a recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand Central Canterbury Farming for Profit workshop focusing on summer crop management.

image of B+LNZ staff at Out the Gate conference standing behind sign

E-diary notices: 4 April 2025

Register your interest to support education initiatives, Watch videos from the Beef Breeder Forum, Transporting pregnant sheep

Update on B+LNZ’s biosecurity work

New Zealand’s biosecurity is vital for protecting our environment, economy and animal health. B+LNZ works with industry groups and government agencies to help develop robust biosecurity policy, systems and standards that are essential to protecting our sector.

New Zealand red meat sector disappointed at tariffs move

New Zealand’s red meat sector is disappointed by the United States’ decision to impose tariffs on New Zealand exports.

Retaining experience in sheep and beef sector

Sheep and beef industry commentators have long talked about the many opportunities for experienced farm managers to grow their equity through farm business partnerships - but are these opportunities a reality?

image of dairy beef cows in green pastures

Massey University hosts Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Dairy Beef Progeny Test

Massey University has begun trialing the use of superior beef genetics in its two dairy farms as part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Dairy Beef Progeny Test.

Setting up the farm for growing great lambs

A one-week delay in putting the rams out could mean ewes are lambing in a part of spring with higher pasture growth rates, which help drive lactation and higher pre-weaning growth rates.

image of julia jones presenting at Out The Gate

E-diary notices: 28 March 2025

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

image of nz sheep and beef farm with river fenced off

B+LNZ seeking clarity following RMA announcement

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says it supports the need for Resource Management Act (RMA) reform but is seeking clarity from the Government on specifics of the proposed replacement that could potentially impact sheep and beef farmers.

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand’s TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go.

image of speaker pointing at screen at conference

Out the Gate 2025 proves a great success

Out the Gate 2025 powered by the B+LNZ Farmer Council and Kāhui, held on 26 March, gathered sheep, beef and dairy-beef farmers to explore all things on-farm productivity, the importance of people within the industry, and the technology and tools available to tackle changes in our sector with confidence.

image of Kate Acland speaking at Annual Meeting

B+LNZ 2025 Annual Meeting wrap-up

At the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Annual Meeting today, attendees heard updates on the organisation’s achievements over the past year and what’s planned for the coming year. A resolution to increase directors’ fees was confirmed by a narrow margin, and the appointment of KPMG as auditor was confirmed.

B+LNZ’s advocacy on afforestation

Last week we emailed farmers with updates on our environmental advocacy, including on the issue of whole-farm forestry conversions being entered into the ETS. Find out more about this issue and what B+LNZ is advocating for.  

image taken from Genetics Forum of audience watching presentation

Driving genetic gain focus of B+LNZ Beef Breeders Forum

Over 150 people attended last week’s Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Beef Breeders Forum where the focus was on the need to drive genetic gain in New Zealand’s beef industry.

Open Farms 2025 draws the crowds

New Zealand’s national Open Farms Day took place on Sunday 9 March 2025. This year’s event drew the largest crowds ever, with a record 4,504 urban Kiwis flocking to a range of farmer and grower host farms across the country.

E-diary notices: 21 March 2025

B+LNZ Western North Island Director election result, Additional guidance on managing shearing cuts available, Join the Dairy-Beef Collective

image of Andrew Stewart with horse and dogs

B+LNZ 2025 Western North Island Director election result announced

B+LNZ has released the results of voting in the WNI farmer director election. Andrew Stewart, Rangitikei hill country farmer, has been elected to the B+LNZ Board in the Western North Island electorate. Results of other voting will follow the annual meeting next week.

image of sheep infront of pine trees and mountains

B+LNZ update on environmental policy advocacy

This email was sent to farmers on 20 March 2025.

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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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