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 + Lamb NZ directors are in line for a pay rise this year.
A resolution calling for an increase in total director fees is before livestock farmers.
The resolution recommends a 4% increase in the chairman’s fee and 2% rise in director fee: it also proposes a $20,000 pool for additional responsibility taken on by directors.
According to B+LNZ 2019 annual report, board chairman Andrew Morrison received $70,000; each director received $30,000.
Voting is now open: results will be announced at B+LNZ annual meeting in New Plymouth on March 26.
Another resolution before levy-paying farmers is appointing KPMG as auditor for this financial year.
To be eligible to vote, a livestock farmer must, on 30 June 2019, have owned at least 250 sheep, or 50 beef cattle, or 100 dairy cattle
There are no director elections this year: sitting directors Andrew Morrison (Southern South Island) and George Tatham (Eastern North Island) are being returned unopposed.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.
Reports of severe weather forecast to move over the vast majority of New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards this weekend will be very concerning for a significant number of growers.
Seeka chief executive Michael Franks says while it's still early days in terms of the kiwifruit harvest, things are looking pretty good.

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