Hub farms, focus groups for red meat farmers
A hub farm in each of Beef + Lamb NZ’s seven regions and more focus groups are being rolled out for the red meat sector this year.
Voting has opened for B+LNZ director elections.
In Western North Island, Scott Gower of Ohura and Andrew Stewart of Marton are standing to replace outgoing director Kirsten Bryant, who is not seeking re-election.
In Central South Island Nicky Hyslop of Timaru and incumbent director Bill Wright of Cave are standing.
“Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s board plays an important role in shaping the direction of the sector and our farmer directors are a vital link between the organisation and sheep and beef farmers across the country,” says B+LNZ’s chairman Andrew Morrison.
“It’s great to see farmers putting up their hands in both districts to contest the elections as it demonstrates the value they see in contributing to help lead the sector.
“With voting documents arriving in mailboxes in the coming days, I encourage farmers to take the time to consider the candidates standing in both districts.”
To be eligible to vote, a livestock farmer must, on 30 June 2018, have owned at least 250 sheep, 50 beef cattle, or 100 dairy cattle.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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