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
Horticulture New Zealand says proposed changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 will drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.

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