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.
Beef farmers across the country are putting their best entries forward for the thirteenth annual Beef + Lamb New Zealand Steak of Origin Competition.
The competition, sponsored by Zoetis, seeks to find New Zealand's most tender and tasty steak.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive, Dr Scott Champion, says the competition is a great platform to showcase the New Zealand beef industry and illustrates the great care farmers take in producing the best quality beef.
"It's also a competition keenly contested by beef farmers who strive to take the coveted Steak of Origin title," says Champion.
New Zealand beef farmers are invited to compete for the 2015 Grand Champion title, while meat retailers, wholesalers and foodservice suppliers can enter into the 2015 Best of Brand category.
All entries will be scientifically tested at Carne Technologies, where elements such as tenderness and colour will determine which steaks will make the semi-finals.
Steaks that make the semi-finals will be judged on aroma, juiciness, tenderness, texture and taste by a panel of culinary trained judges in Auckland on Friday 1 May. From here, 20 finalists will be chosen for the Grand Final held in Palmerston North on Monday 11 May.
Entries close February 20. For an entry form, farmers, retailers, wholesalers and foodservice suppliers can visit beeflambnz.co.nz or call 0800 733 466.
OPINION: Farmers around the country are welcoming the proposed reform of local government.
A move to boost farmer uptake of low methane emitting sheep is underway.
Silver Fern Farms has tackled the ongoing war-induced shipping challenges to mideast markets by airlifting 90 tonnes of chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates.
The primary sector is leading New Zealand's economic recovery, according to economist and researcher Cameron Bagrie.
Dairy industry leader Jim van der Poel didn't make much of the invitation he received to the recent New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua.
Farmers around the country are going public big time, demanding their local district, city and regional councils come up with amalgamation plans that meet the needs of rural communities and don't allow urban councils to dominate.

OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.
OPINION: This old mutt went to school to eat his lunch, but still knows the future of the country, and…