US removes reciprocal tariff on NZ beef
Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has appointed Mark Polson as its new Associate Director on the board, commencing 1 November.
Polson runs Waipuna Farms, his family’s sheep and beef farming business, which has 25,000 stock across three properties in the Whanganui region.
After ten years of corporate and general management roles in the New Zealand agribusiness sector, he returned to the grassroots farming of his family farm.
“I am looking forward to developing my governance skills through the Associate Director role and bringing my experience to add value at a national level through our key industry body, as we navigate to grow and sustain a profitable future for our sector,” says Polson.
B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says Polson will make a welcome addition to the team.
“We had a strong response to our call for applications to this fixed-term role and were really impressed by the calibre of young leaders looking to step up and help in the governance of our sector,” says Acland.
“Mark will bring a mix of hands-on farming experience along with a strong background in agricommerce,” she says. “His collaborative leadership and strategic thinking skills, coupled with a passion to further our rural communities, will be a great addition to the B+LNZ Board and we hope this experience will help him further his ambitions to serve our sector.”
Polson joins a board of six farmer-elected directors, two meat industry-appointed directors and one independent director.
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.

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