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.
OPINION: The Hound notes that nominations are now open for two Beef+Lamb NZ director roles (eastern North Island and southern South Island).
Eastern North Island director George Tatham is standing down, while South Island director elections, and current board chair, Andrew Morrison is offering himself up for re-election.
It will be interesting to note if all the fire and brimstone about the performance (or more correctly the lack of it) of BLNZ - especially in relation to ag emissions - will see any serious challenges put up to fight the status quo for the seats.
One would have thought that the likes of Groundswell and the 'Waka Adrift group' who have been loudly agitating against HWEN etc, etc would put up some credible candidates to fight the election.
Nominations close at 5pm on 9 December - so challengers better get their skates on or maybe these agitators are just all talk and no action!
Farmers have voted to continue the Milksolids Levy that funds DairyNZ.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell has resigned after eight years in the role.
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.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

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