NZ scientists make breakthrough in Facial Eczema research
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
BEEF + LAMB New Zealand wants assurance around research outcomes and future science capability for the sheep and beef sector, says chairman James Parsons.
Parsons says Beef + Lamb (B+LNZ) understands the strategic intent behind AgResearch's confirmed proposal to restructure, but wants more information.
Parsons' comments are in response to the announcement by AgResearch initiating the next phase of its Future Footprint Proposal. This will involve four sites – Hamilton, Palmerston North, Lincoln and Invermay – with head office activities based at Lincoln.
Parsons says B+LNZ supports the concept of strong links between research and education. Establishing multidisciplinary science and business innovation hubs can assist in delivering on this objective.
"Like AgResearch and other sector stakeholders, B+LNZ appreciates that the plan is not without risk. Any restructuring proposal and relocation of staff is very unsettling and this proposal is no exception.
"B+LNZ respects it is the call of the AgResearch leadership as to how it runs its business and where it locates its staff. However, before being satisfied, B+LNZ requires more information that suitable plans and mitigations are in place so our research outcomes are not compromised and science capability is retained."
B+LNZ and AgResearch have agreed to work closely together as B+LNZ seeks more detail. B+LNZ has agreed to assist where possible to minimise disruption, ensuring that current and new B+LNZ research investments are able to be delivered as planned.
Fonterra says its interim results show continued momentum in its performance, with revenue of $13.9 billion in the first half of the 2026 financial year.
New Zealand's diverse cheesemaking talent shone brightly last night as the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association (NZSCA) crowned the champions of the 2026 New Zealand Cheese Awards.
Tracing has indicated that the source of the first velvetleaf find of the 2025-26 crop season, in Auckland, was likely maize purchased in the Waikato region.
Fish & Game New Zealand has announced its election priorities in its Manifesto 2026.
With the forage maize harvest started in Northland and the Waikato, the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is telling growers of later crops, or those further south, to start checking their maize crop maturity about three weeks prior to when they think they will start silage harvesting.
Irrigation NZ is warning that the government's Resource Management Act (RMA) reform risks falling short of its objectives unless water use for food production and water storage infrastructure are clearly recognised in the goals at the top of the new system.

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