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.
OPINION: The Hound notes that nominations are now open for two Beef+Lamb NZ director roles (eastern North Island and southern South Island).
Eastern North Island director George Tatham is standing down, while South Island director elections, and current board chair, Andrew Morrison is offering himself up for re-election.
It will be interesting to note if all the fire and brimstone about the performance (or more correctly the lack of it) of BLNZ - especially in relation to ag emissions - will see any serious challenges put up to fight the status quo for the seats.
One would have thought that the likes of Groundswell and the 'Waka Adrift group' who have been loudly agitating against HWEN etc, etc would put up some credible candidates to fight the election.
Nominations close at 5pm on 9 December - so challengers better get their skates on or maybe these agitators are just all talk and no action!
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.
Technology and the use of artificial intelligence are increasingly part of life, both on the farm and off it.
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.

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