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.
Southland sheep and beef farmer Andrew Morrison is the new chairman of Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).
Morrison takes the Chair after four years on the board representing the Southern South Island region. He was elected at B+LNZ annual meeting last week.
Along with his wife Lisa, Morrison farms a total of 1030ha of breeding and finishing units spread between Southland and Otago. He actively farms the couple’s 150ha home farm near Gore – although Lisa is in charge of the day-to-day management. The couple has two children Bryn (19) and Kelly (15).
Morrison says he feels privileged to take up the role of chairman at B+LNZ.
“I love the sector we operate in and it has treated us very well. It is not always easy, but it is a truly great values-based sector to be part of. These farming values flow into rural communities.
“I am a strong believer in the contribution healthy rural communities make to the wider economy. I see merit in supporting and enhancing the unbelievable potential we have in agriculture and in rural communities.”
Morrison takes up the reins after previous chairman James Parsons stepped down after four years at the helm.
Morrison will be leading B+LNZ as the levy-funded organisation implements a revised strategy. Released last year, this strategy puts more emphasis on enhancing farmers' environmental position, unlocking market potential and greater government and public insight engagement – while still supporting farming excellence.
Morrison also sits on the boards of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Ovis Management Ltd, the New Zealand Meat Board and the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium.
FarmIQ Systems has developed a free land management app to help remove barriers to New Zealand farmers and growers adopting digital tools.
Rural Women New Zealand has announced the winners of the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards.
Horticulture NZ says the funding boost to improve state highway resilience will support growers and strengthen the transport links they rely on to get produce to market.
Gallagher has appointed Rob Clayton as Chief Executive of its global Animal Management business to lead the next stage of growth across key markets.
A Waihi dairy farmer, Keith Torrens, has been convicted and fined $39,000 for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent following a prosecution taken by Waikato Regional Council.
Taranaki's sunshine and energy sector expertise are powering a new approach to renewable energy, with the launch of BlueGreen Frontiers.

OPINION: While we're on the topic of lumberjacks, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has no doubt used a chainsaw hundreds of…
OPINION: To a chorus of crying greenies, and not a minute too soon, the Government has moved to put the…