Farmer Councils

Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Farmer Councils are a key sounding board for the organisation. They represent farmers and provide B+LNZ with advice to guide decision making and help communicate with farmers.

The chairs and deputy chairs of regional farmer councils form the National Farmer Council Executive. Find out who is on the National Farmer Council Executive from your region below. To contact them, go through your local B+LNZ Extension Manager – details here (PDF, 568 KB).

Paul Crick

Paul Crick

Farmer Council – National Chair
Jeff Martin

Jeff Martin

Farmer Council – Northern North Island Chair
image of Grant West

Grant West

Farmer Council – Northern North Island Deputy Chair
image of dan billing

Dan Billing

Farmer Council – Eastern North Island Chair
image of Richard Scholefield

Richard Scholefield

Farmer Council – Eastern North Island Deputy Chair
Ian Evans

Ian Evans

Farmer Council – Mid Northern North Island Chair
Image of Jon Sherlock

Jon Sherlock

Farmer Council – Mid Northern North Island Deputy Chair
Image of Megan Bates

Megan Bates

Farmer Council – Western North Island Chair
image of Lachlan Hopkins

Lachlan Hopkins

Farmer Council – Western North Island Deputy Chair
image of warwick lissaman

Warwick Lissaman

Farmer Council – Northern South Island Chair
image of Fraser Tasker

Fraser Tasker

Farmer Council – Northern South Island Deputy Chair
Sam Stevens

Sam Stevens

Farmer Council – Central South Island Chair
image of John Fitzgerald

John Fitzgerald

Farmer Council – Central South Island Deputy Chair
Image of Matt Macrae

Matt McRae

Farmer Council – Southern South Island Chair
image of Matt Tayler on farm

Matt Tayler

Farmer Council – Southern South Island Deputy Chair

More about our Farmer Councils

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Farmer Council’s vision

A growing sheep and beef industry, providing sustainable profits for future generations.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Farmer Council’s mission

Guide and advise the development and delivery of innovative tools and services to support informed decision making, and continuous improvement in farming systems.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Farmer Council’s strategic principles

  • Ensure that farmer needs are influencing Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) research, development and extension activities.
  • Think strategically, encourage innovation and act collaboratively for both the short and long term future of the sheep and beef industry.
  • Support farmers to learn and use practices and methods that will increase farm profitability and sustainability.
  • Add value and enhance the effectiveness of B+LNZ activities and programmes.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Farmer Council’s core activities

  • Operate as a farmer organisation, funded by B+LNZ, providing leadership at local and national levels.
  • Represent the views, needs and recommendations  from regional sheep and beef farmers.
  • Contribute to the development of Region Delivery Plans (RDPs) by planning, guiding and coordinating  extension and information activities for sheep and beef farmers.
  • Provide a regional view of farmer R&D and extension needs and be a practical sounding board for B+LNZ in industry issues, R&D and extension work.
  • Identify opportunities and facilitate understanding  of the broader issues affecting sheep and beef farmers.
  • Identify and demonstrate the career potential and pathways available in the sheep and beef industry including identification and professional development of future sheep and beef industry leaders.