B+LNZ Launches nProve Tracker to Improve Sheep Flock Genetics
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has unveiled a new tool to help sheep farmers better understand the genetics in their flock and make more informed decisions.
A hub farm in each of Beef + Lamb NZ’s seven regions and more focus groups are being rolled out for the red meat sector this year.
This is part of B+LNZ’s refreshed strategy, where it is lifting investment into their extension programme and putting more boots on the ground to help and guide farmers.
B+LNZ chief executive Alan Thomson told the organisation’s annual meeting in Rotorua today that the biggest changes under their refreshed strategy are in the extension area.
“What we heard from farmers during the strategy review is you wanted more boots on the ground helping farmers.
“In the last year we have been focused on recruiting great people to deliver the focus groups and hub farm programmes.
“Focus groups are small group learning initiatives that focus on a specific area of on-farm business or performance.
“All the research shows that these kinds of learning environments drive the most change on farm.”
Thomson says they have begun rolling out focus groups in all the regions.
By contrast, a hub farm showcases real-time farm business changes from implementing a change on the farm.
He adds that the aim over the coming year will be to set one hub farm up in each region.
“For both the focus groups and hub farms farmer council input has been critical and I’d like to sincerely thank them for their important work.”
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.

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