Beef + Lamb New Zealand

14/06/2026

Nominations are now open for beef bulls suitable for use in B+LNZ’s long-running Dairy Beef Progeny Test.

Nominations are now open for beef bulls suitable for use in Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s long-running Dairy Beef Progeny Test.

Selected bulls will be used in what will be the third mating in this phase of the Dairy Beef Progeny Test (DBPT) which aims to highlight the value superior beef genetics generate at every stage of the supply chain.

Anna Vaughan, B+LNZ’s Senior Genetics Operation Specialist says, they are looking for bulls representing commercially available beef breeds whose EBVs make them suitable for use over dairy cows. Add your nominations here:

Nominations are now open for beef bulls suitable for use in B+LNZ’s long-running Dairy Beef Progeny Test.

13/06/2026

At Out the Gate, held on 20 May in Christchurch, Global Agritrends analyst Simon Quilty shared his outlook on global red meat markets and what it means for New Zealand farmers.

His message was clear: global fundamentals are working in New Zealand’s favour. Strong demand, tightening supply and shifting trade dynamics are creating a positive outlook for sheep and beef, with opportunities ahead for farmers who are well positioned to respond. Read the full story here:

At Out the Gate, held on 20 May in Christchurch, Global Agritrends analyst Simon Quilty shared his outlook on global red meat markets and what it means for New Zealand farmers.

13/06/2026

Mary Bowron, Wormwise advisor, vet and farmer talks about the opportunities and pitfalls associated with grazing vineyards, orchards and solar farms.

Viticulture, horticulture and now solar farms, all have grass that needs managing between the bits that make the money for their owners. These blocks have long been seen as a grazing opportunity by sheep farmers and traders.

Grazing is generally through the autumn/winter period, and mostly with lambs. These may be sourced from the home farm and head home in the spring as replacements; alternatively, trade lambs may be purchased and finished entirely on the grazing block. Usually there are no other stock on these blocks for the rest of the year. Learn more here:

Mary Bowron, Wormwise advisor, vet and farmer talks about the opportunities and pitfalls associated with grazing vineyards, orchards and solar farms.

12/06/2026

Ben Fahey completed B+LNZ’s Generation Next programme in 2019. In celebration of the programme’s 10-year anniversary, we’re catching up with graduates to see where they are now.

The programme helped Ben set and achieve his goal of moving from stock manager to farm manager, a step he reached within four years. Now managing a North Canterbury farm for Pāmu Landcorp, he’s also a strong advocate for Generation Next, having already supported two of his team to go through the programme.

He shares what he took from the programme and how he’s using it on farm today. Read the full story here:

Ben Fahey completed B+LNZ’s Generation Next programme in 2019. In celebration of the programme’s 10-year anniversary, we’re catching up with graduates to see where they are now.

12/06/2026

Meet Tristan Gaffaney, a recipient of the inaugural 2026 B+LNZ Agricultural Student Scholarship. Tristan, from South Canterbury, is studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in economics, and minoring in agricultural innovation at the University of Otago.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞?
Agriculture has been a significant part of my life, having grown up with a Farm Consultant for a Dad. At age 8 we moved to a small sheep and beef farm, where I first got a hands-on taste of rural life. Spending time on the farm was a great way to learn outside of the classroom, and really ignited my passion for agriculture. Agriculture has remained within my life as I took Agribusiness at school. It has then continued into my tertiary study.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲?
My passions lie within problem solving, and law offers me the ability to do that in my studies and then in my career. Economics has been something that I have been deeply passionate about for a while, and I particularly benefit from engaging with differing macroeconomic issues and relating them to situations within agriculture. Agricultural innovation is a nice way to top off my degree, it helps synthesise all of the other aspects of my study and helps put a rural lens on my learnings.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧?
There are a couple of potential routes that I am interested in. A career in international trade is something that I would be very passionate about, and I feel is at the heart of my interests. It combines my studies and offers me the opportunity to help represent the red meat sector. Outside of that, opportunities in rural law particularly interest me and offer potential for corporate governance later down the line, as I’m ambitious to play a role in the governance of some of New Zealand’s large rural enterprises.

𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝?
I am particularly passionate about connecting rural organisations to my studies at the University of Otago. We have a growing agricultural programme and I am very passionate about pushing Otago’s rural reputation. Last year I founded the Institute of Rural Professionals Otago Student Group. Growing this group is a significant personal goal of mine, hoping to leave a legacy when I leave the University. The connection between the Institute and university students is something I find to be very valuable after attending their national conference last year. I hope the student group is able to help benefit students and expand their professional networks.

Read more: https://www.thepress.co.nz/rural/360977252/south-cantabrian-student-named-emerging-agriculture-leader

11/06/2026

Māori and Pacific people are a vital part of New Zealand’s red meat sector — today and into the future. Here’s why:

- 1 in 4 workers in farming and processing are Māori. That’s nearly 10,600 jobs
- 1 in 9 workers are Pacific Peoples – almost 4,800 jobs

And with many of these workers aged under 30, they’re helping shape the future of the sector.

From skills and innovation to community strength, their contribution extends far beyond the farm gate.

Want to see the full picture? Check out the link below:
https://beeflambnz.com/news/research-shows-new-zealands-red-meat-sector-drives-nearly-50-billion-annual-spending-across

Beef and Lamb New Zealand Farmer Time New Zealand

11/06/2026

Chris Mulvaney will take you through the management and control of lice in sheep: https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/video/lice-management-webinar

This resource and thousands of others are in B+LNZ’s Knowledge Hub – to get even more out of our resources you can use Bella, our AI-powered assistant, and she’ll round up the answers to your questions at www.AskBella.co.nz

11/06/2026

From social media to e-diaries, text alerts to agricultural forecasts - there's a range of ways you can keep up-to-date with the work we're doing to support farmers.

Visit our website to see them all in one place: https://beeflambnz.com/about/stay-informed

11/06/2026

Alan Thomson (B+LNZ’s CEO) chats to Dani Darke (Ballance Agri-Nutrients Director) about how we’re partnering for greater impact ✨

11/06/2026

B+LNZ Focus Groups are up and running nationwide. If you’re keen to join one or learn more, get in touch with your local Extension Manager.

Ian and the rest of the team are at Fieldays (PD48-50), ready to chat to you, come say hi!