Paynes Titus Excelsior ET Wins Sire of the Season Award
Paynes Titus Excelsior ET, an LIC bull bred by Brad Payne and Claire Brodie in the Waikato, has won the JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2026 Award.
Two long-standing LIC farmer-elected directors are stepping down later this year.
South Island director Matt Ross and North Island director Dr Alison Watters are not seeking re-election at the end of their current term.
Ross was elected to the board in June 2017 and has had a long association with LIC and experience in leadership roles.
LIC chair Corrigan Sowman says Ross is a highly valued member of the LIC board who brings his knowledge and practical experience in farming excellence to the table.
“LIC has benefited greatly from Matt’s ability to understand both the very grass roots of our business as a previous AB technician through to advanced strategic
breeding decisions of today and what that means for creating value inside the farmgate for farmers,” says Sowman.
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Matt Ross |
Watters was elected to the board in June 2014 and has significant experience in directorship and dairy industry innovation.
Sowman says Watters’ passion for the New Zealand dairy industry and focus on its success is extremely beneficial for the LIC board.
“Alison contributes significantly to the dairy sector, both on farm and in many board rooms, therefore I reluctantly accepted her resignation from her elected director role.
“It’s never easy to lose long-standing directors, however, our team of directors bring a diverse and extensive range of knowledge to the board, and we look forward to welcoming new directors at the annual general meeting,” says Sowman.
Departing directors will remain on the board until LIC’s annual meeting on September 18 this year.
New Zealand’s vegetable sector will take centre stage at Parliament today, celebrating a vital industry and sharing a clear, future focused vision for how it can continue to thrive.
New Zealand red meat exports reached a second consecutive monthly record in May, rising to $1.6 billion, according to the Meat Industry Association.
Patoa Farms Limited, New Zealand's largest pig farm, has been sold for an undisclosed price.
Potatoes New Zealand says it congratulates Amber Davy of Eurogrow on her recent win at the 2026 Canterbury Young Grower of the Year competition.
For Tararua District dairy farmer Lisa Lyons, ongoing professional development has always gone hand-in-hand with life on the farm, but a major health challenge prompted her to take her study journey even further.
New import standards could put New Zealand’s blueberry industry and the wider horticulture industry at risk.

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