McRae Wins Southern South Island B+LNZ Director Vote
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Demand for tickets to the inaugural Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards has led to the announcement that the event will be livestreamed.
B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says tickets to the Awards Dinner, set to be held in Napier on 29 September, sold out within a short space of time.
He says livestreaming the event will allow anyone to watch as the finalists of the eight awards are introduced and the winners are announced.
“While we were delighted that the tickets were snapped up so quickly, we were aware that a lot of people who would like to have attended the Awards Dinner were unable to get a ticket,” McIvor says.
“Livestreaming will allow anyone, anywhere to be part of the evening where we will recognise those individuals who help make this country’s red meat sector world-leading.”
McIvor says B+LNZ, along with awards partner Farmlands and category sponsors, have been pleased at how well the awards have been supported, in both the quality and the quantity of entries and in ticket sales.
“Aside of the COVID-19 disruptions, we could not have wished for a better start to the inaugural B+LNZ Awards. The support from industry highlights that there was a real need for a platform from which we could showcase and celebrate the individuals working within our world-leading red meat industry.”
To sign up for the livestream, head to https://beeflambnz.com/awards-dinner
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.

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