Rural bias?
OPINION: After years of ever-worsening results from our education system, the startling results from a maths acceleration programme stood out like a dog’s proverbials – the trial producing gains of one full year in just 12-weeks.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has launched its Rural Leadership Advancement Scholarship.
The scholarship is aimed at supporting a new generation of leaders in the sheep and beef sector.
As part of the initiative, B+LNZ will sponsor two sheep and beef farmers to participate in the NZ Rural Leader’s Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme in 2025.
Each successful candidate will be paired with a B+LNZ mentor relevant to their area of interest, with a tailored mentoring programme developed around them.
The scholarship is part of the industry good body’s refreshed strategy to enhance and sustain on-farm productivity and profitability.
A major focus of that strategy is on growing on-farm leadership, which the organisation says is essential for retaining talent and fostering positive workplace cultures.
Through this, B+LNZ says it aims to boost retention by enhancing leadership, celebrating success, and ensuring farm teams thrive from day one to the end of year three.
Olivia Weatherburn, B+LNZ national extension programme manager says the scholarship isn’t just about individual development but is also designed to benefit the wider sector.
“Recipients will share their project findings and experiences at a series of B+LNZ events, ensuring that the knowledge gained contributes to the growth and success of all our levy payers,” Weatherburn says.
She says that through the scholarship, B+LNZ wants to support and enable future farming leaders to make a significant impact on the sheep and beef sector from their position on-farm.
“We are committed to nurturing leadership behind the farm gates to grow the rural leadership community, ensuring that our sector continues to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape,” Weatherburn adds.
“We encourage all eligible farmers to apply and take this important step in their professional development.”
To apply for the scholarship, head to https://beeflambnz.com/programmes-partnerships/people-and-training/personal-development-programmes/kellogg-rural-leaders. Applications close 5pm, 7 October 2024.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.
A Taranaki farmer and livestock agent who illegally swapped NAIT tags from cows infected with a bovine disease in an attempt to sell the cows has been fined $15,000.
Bill and Michelle Burgess had an eye-opening realisation when they produced the same with fewer cows.
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying. Decades later, it's her passion for the industry keeping her there, supporting, and inspiring farmers across the region.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…