University of Waikato breaks ground on new medical school
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
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.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.
Thirty years ago, as a young sharemilker, former Waikato farmer Snow Chubb realised he was bucking a trend when he started planting trees to provide shade for his cows, but he knew the animals would appreciate what he was doing.
Virtual fencing and herding systems supplier, Halter is welcoming a decision by the Victorian Government to allow farmers in the state to use the technology.
DairyNZ’s latest Econ Tracker update shows most farms will still finish the season in a positive position, although the gap has narrowed compared with early season expectations.
New Zealand’s national lamb crop for the 2025–26 season is estimated at 19.66 million head, a lift of one percent (or 188,000 more lambs) on last season, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) latest Lamb Crop report.

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