Red meat rebound
The red meat sector is poised for a strong rebound this season, with export receipts forecast to top $10 billion and farm profitability to almost double.
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.
The Coalition Government will need the support of at least one opposition party to ratify the free trade deal with India.
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.
At Pāmu’s Kepler Farm in Manapouri, mating has wrapped up at the across-breed Beef Progeny Test.
More than 150 people turned up at Parliament recently to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).
Biosecurity New Zealand says Kiwis should continue to keep an eye out for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) over the holiday season.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…