Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards 2026 Winners Announced in Christchurch
Last night saw the winners of the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Awards named at a gala dinner at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.
Still on the Fieldays, one weird product seen there has made global news.
Meat lovers’ chocolate has gone global (though some punters query the mention of the prime ingredient in the name). Overseas media reactions to the sweet treat – it contains 50% meat – range from encouraging to incredulous. Website ‘Death and Taxes’ asked Kiwis if they really wanted to add meaty choccies to the little the world knew about us, after already having to “suffer numerous indignities based on the rest of the world’s general ignorance of your country”. But it was heavenly publicity to the US beef industry’s cattlenetwork.com, which declared the stuff “good news for that untapped segment of consumers waiting for a product with the nutritional value of meat and the indulgent taste of chocolate”. All this global hooha has AgResearch senior scientist Mustafa Farouk and Devonport Chocolates excited about the product’s future.
Federated Farmers says the Government’s latest investment in road resilience is a positive step toward protecting rural communities and freight routes from increasing severe weather events.
The stockfood storage capacity of J Swap Stockfoods continues to grow in the South Island with the opening of a new store that boosts its capacity in Christchurch and work starting on another store in Southland.
Fonterra has lifted and narrowed its full year forecast earnings range to 60-70 cents per share after a strong quarter, supported by robust milk production, strong shipment volumes and continued demand across its Ingredients and Foodservice businesses.
Fonterra has announced it will continue with the planned expansion of its organic business into the South Island.
New Zealand farmers have been told they all have amazing people on their farms and have been urged to be “that one person” that can make a huge difference to those going through tough times.
OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.