increase font size
Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland
Sheep and beef farmers have voted to approve Beef + Lamb New Zealand signing an operational agreement between the agricultural sector and the Government on foot and mouth disease readiness and response.
Over 96% of farmers voted in support.
Voting, which was conducted online and was open to all farmers on B+LNZ's electoral roll, closed on Friday 16 May. It was a weighted vote, although the weighted result was very similar to the one-farmer-one-vote result (at 95.05%).
The final percentage (turnout) was 14.67%, being 2,039 votes received from 13,899 farmers.
Chair Kate Acland says she's pleased B+LNZ can now sign the agreement.
"The board felt that signing the agreement was the best option for our farmers, but we needed farmer input and approval.
"Keeping foot and mouth disease out of New Zealand should still be our number one priority but it's important that we're as prepared as possible in the unlikely event it does arrive. It's especially important that sheep and beef farmers have a voice in decision-making about how any response effort would be funded and the money spent.
"It's like to thank all those farmers who used their voice on this important issue."
B+LNZ will sign the agreement at an upcoming event.
Milton dairy farmer Chris Wills says he began using probiotics in spring 2023 to address somatic cell count (SCC) grades when cows transitioned from their winter barn to lush spring pasture.
New Zealand's red meat sector says the United States' decision to increase tariffs on New Zealand exports is disappointing.
Treat your farm boundary like a border. This was one of the messages delivered to farmers at a recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand Protect Your Patch workshop in Lincoln.
There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's move to put the brakes on local authorities to do any more work on planning changes ahead of major changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).
Feeding infected milk is high risk for spreading diseases such as M. bovis.
Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.
One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…
