OSPRI's costly software upgrade
Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.
Entries have opened for the 2024 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards.
The awards give those who work within the sheep and beef industry the opportunity to shine a light on their local heroes.
B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor is encouraging people to enter or nominate a person, innovation or technology that is helping to make this country’s red meat sector world leading.
“Think about your farm staff, the teachers, the mentors, the scientists, the community leaders, the breeders, the people who develop the technologies that make your life easier, the sector champions, the marketers and those who support farmer health and well-being and nominate them for an award.”
He says previous B+LNZ Award category finalists and winners have been overwhelmingly positive about the experience and the recognition they have received after winning an Award.
“Finalists and winners have told us that the Awards have given them a huge confidence boost and, in some cases, taken their business to a new level.” For the wider sector it’s a real opportunity to recognise and celebrate those people and businesses making a significant impact.
There are eight category awards, four of which are people focused and four are industry focused. Entries will close at the end of July with judging taking place throughout August.
“Entrants have told us that entering the B+LNZ Awards is easy, and the process is an opportunity to take stock of an individual's or business's achievements,” says McIvor.
The B+LNZ Awards Showcase will be held at Claudelands Events Centre near Hamilton on 10 October 2024.
McIvor says while it has been a challenging year for many in the red meat sector, the country continues to produce top quality products in a way that resonates with consumers worldwide.
“During these tough times it is more important than ever that we celebrate our success.
“We have so much to be proud of and the Awards gives us the chance to showcase our pasture-based, red meat industry to our peers and the wider public.”
Farmlands is once again the B+LNZ Awards partner, along with the eight category sponsors.
Farmland's chief executive Tanya Houghton says the co-op is thrilled to be partnering with B+LNZ for another year.
"Contributing to a long-standing fixture of the rural calendar, one that celebrates and recognises outstanding work and builds strength within the primary sector, is something that Farmlands is really proud of."
"We’re here to help farmers and growers achieve improved profitability and productivity through our delivery of key inputs. This partnership helps us demonstrate that commitment in other ways beyond giving our customers what they need for their business at the right price and with the right support.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
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