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.
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.
McRae received 5,104 weighted votes. Glen McDonald received 1,552 weighted votes and Simon Davies received 811 weighted votes.
B+LNZ Board Chair Kate Acland congratulated McRae, noting he is currently Chair of B+LNZ’s Southern South Island Farmer Council.
“Matt is already highly engaged with the organisation and I look forward to him bringing new ideas and energy to the Board table.
“I’d also like to thank Glen and Simon for standing for election. It’s heartening to see such a high calibre of candidates put themselves forward.”
Turnout for the director election was 15.95 percent, which is on par with comparable organisations.
Current Southern South Island farmer director Geoffrey Young is retiring at the annual meeting.
“At that time, we’ll formally farewell and thank Geoffrey for his service to the organisation. He has been a strong advocate for sheep and beef farming interests in the deep South and has brought a collaborative approach to Board discussions.”
Results of other voting – Company resolutions to increase director fees and to appoint an auditor – will follow the annual meeting on Wednesday (18 March).
AgriZeroNZ has invested $5.1 million in Australian company Rumin8 to accelerate development of its methane-reducing products for cattle and bring them to New Zealand.
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
A bull on a freight plane sounds like the start of a joke, but for Ian Bryant, it is a fond memory of days gone by.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced changes to the ministerial lineup, including a new Minister for the Environment and a new Associate Agriculture Minister.
Farmers are being offered help to protect themselves and their people while using quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles on farm.
Two major acquisitions in the New Zealand dairy sector were completed this week.

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