Massey Adds New Majors in Agritech, Animal Science
Interest in agritech and production animal systems has prompted Massey University's School of Agriculture and the Environment to new majors to its popular animal science degree.
Building a strong team is one of the biggest drivers of a successful sheep and beef business, but it can also be one of the tougher parts to get right.
That's according to Olivia Weatherburn, B+LNZ's national extension programme manager.
"Farmers today are wearing a lot of hats. Alongside running the farm, they're also managing people, systems and more.
"We heard clearly that farmers want more support to get the most from their people, and that's where the Employment Hub comes in.
"It pulls together practical, easy-to-use resources to help farmers through each step, whether it's hiring someone for the first time or managing a more established team."
B+LNZ has updated its Employment Hub, bringing together practical tools and resources to help farm employers build and support a strong team.
The update was shaped by extensive farmer input, with support from the former Workforce Development Council for the food and fibre sector, team helping identify gaps and improve how the Hub is structured.
The focus is on what farmers need most - simple, step-by-step resources that are easy to find and easy to use.
The refreshed B+LNZ Employment Hub has already seen strong uptake with more than 560 views since launching in March.
Weatherburn says the early usage reflects the demand for simple, practical support farmers can apply straight away.
The refreshed B+LNZ Employment Hub has reportedly already seen steady use from farmers looking for straightforward, practical advice across the full employment journey.
"So far, we're seeing the most interest in understanding roles on farm and career pathways, recruitment and selection, and staff management, especially building strong working relationships," says Weatherburn.
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox and the Pukekohe regional champion, has won the 2026 Young Grower national title.
An Auckland gelato shop and an established New Zealand ice cream maker have both been named Supreme Champions at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2026.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on household grocery budgets, new figures show pork remains one of the most affordable fresh meat options for New Zealand families.
OPINION: In politics, credibility is and should be big. It must surely rank higher than charisma, which is quite trite and superficial. Yet, voters nowadays are often wooed and influenced by how someone looks or talks at a superficial level. TV plays a huge role in this.
Farmers can spend less time on paperwork, thanks to a new data sharing agreement between DairyNZ’s DairyBase and LIC’s MINDA software.
Kaikōura families affected by July's severe storm have found a practical solution to a problem that's kept some children away from regular schooling for weeks: a washed-out section of Inland Kaikōura Road, which has stopped the local school bus from running its usual route.

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