McRae Wins Southern South Island B+LNZ Director Vote
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.
With 84% support from farmers, Beef + Lamb NZ chair, James Parsons says the referendum was a great endorsement for the organisation and its work over the last six years.
The Declaration of Result provided by Electionz.com says that 84.56% of farmers on a one farmer, one vote basis had voted in favour of the sheepmeat levy with support of 86.04% on a weighted stock unit basis.
For the beef levy there was over 84.66% support on a one farmer, one vote basis and 84.60% on a weighted stock unit basis.
The result declaration for Beef + Lamb NZ’s Commodity Levies Act Referendum provided by Electionz.com is:
The voting return percentage was 38.03% (6,448 participants), representing the following:
- Percent of National Sheep Numbers - 58%
- Percent of National Beef Cattle Numbers - 47%
- Percent of National Dairy Cattle Numbers - 15%
The participation rate was similar to the last referendum in 2009, Parsons says. However, the result is in stark contrast to the 2009 referendum where the sheepmeat levy and the beef levy were narrowly passed.
“Since 2009 the board and staff have worked incredibly hard to reconnect with farmers. Consequently Beef + Lamb New Zealand has become much more farmer facing, partnered far better with like-minded organisations and been a stronger voice for farmers in key areas.”
Parsons says he is delighted with the strong endorsement from farmers, however the challenges the sector faces are as great as ever.
“Feedback from farmers who attended the 53 referendum meetings around the country was, they want and need a farmer organisation now as much as ever. Consequently, we need to work just as hard for the next six years, but we will do so with the knowledge farmers firmly support and value their farmer organisation.
“The result is a strong indication that our work over the past six years has been on the right track, and that we should continue to evolve and improve it over time,” says Parsons.
“Without question Beef + Lamb New Zealand in another six years’ time will be vastly different to what we see today. Farmers can expect a lot more initiatives already in the pipeline to surface in the next couple of years.”
