Move over ham, here comes lamb
It’s official, lamb will take centre stage on Kiwi Christmas tables this year.
Nominations are being called for two farmer-elected positions on the board of Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Nominations must be submitted on the official form obtained from the returning officer, Warwick Lampp, free phone 0508 666 003. The nominations need to be received by 5pm on December 20, 2012.
Voters in the two electorates who have not already registered in the recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand registration campaign, are encouraged to check they are on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Electoral Roll and can do that by calling the free phone 0508 666 003.
To be eligible to vote, a livestock farmer must have owned at least 250 sheep, or 50 beef cattle or 100 dairy cattle on June 30, 2012 and must be registered on the roll by 5 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013.
Votes need to be cast by Election Day on February 21, 2013. The elections will be conducted by postal and internet voting and forms will be mailed out in late January next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand is also calling for remits to next year's annual meeting to be held on March 8, 2013 at the Wanaka Show.
Livestock farmers who want to propose remits are invited to submit them by 20 December 2012.
Remits need to be submitted on the official form that can be obtained from Beef + Lamb New Zealand general counsel, Mark Dunlop by freephoning 0800 233 352. Remits require the signatures of 10 farmers who are registered on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Electoral Roll.
Remits will be included with voting documents for the Annual Meeting and sent to farmers towards the end of January 2013.
A New Zealand dairy industry leader believes the free trade deal announced with India delivers wins for the sector.
The Coalition Government will need the support of at least one opposition party to ratify the free trade deal with India.
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.
At Pāmu’s Kepler Farm in Manapouri, mating has wrapped up at the across-breed Beef Progeny Test.
More than 150 people turned up at Parliament recently to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).
Biosecurity New Zealand says Kiwis should continue to keep an eye out for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) over the holiday season.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…