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Celebrating 25 years of e-diaries

It is 25 years since the first iteration of B+LNZ’s weekly e-diaries arrived in the in-boxes of Southern South Island sheep and beef farmers.

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US lamb global safeguard investigation

The following was emailed to farmers on 15 July 2026.

Getting more from sidelings

A B+LNZ-supported field day at Bill and Sue Garland’s Rahiri Farm earlier this year tackled a question plenty of hill country farmers will relate to: how do you get more out of the parts of your farm that never quite pull their weight?

E-diary notices: 10 July 2026

South Wairarapa flood event, Congratulations to 2026 FMG Young Farmer of the Year Tom Slee

Refreshed support for farm employers

B+LNZ has updated its Employment Hub, bringing together practical tools and resources to help farm employers build and support a strong team.

image of farmer council member talking to B+LNZ staff

Farmer-led approach to B+LNZ’s extension

B+LNZ’s Extension team, alongside Farmer Councils, is well underway developing Regional Delivery Plans (RDPs) that will guide extension activity from October this year.

Plan B needed in adverse weather events

Bad weather across much of the South Island this week has reinforced the importance of preparing an Adverse Weather Event Plan or Plan B when grazing winter forage crops.

A sustainable baseline for NZ beef – NZRSB annual conference

Measuring and tracking the sustainability of New Zealand’s beef sector was the focus of the New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef annual conference in Christchurch last week.

Southland farmers named New Zealand's sustainable farming ambassadors

Michelle and Tony Roberts didn't inherit the farming business they have today. They’ve built it from the ground up, culminating in them being named winners of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy and 2026 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.

Q&A: Leora Werner on understanding farm business

Leora Werner completed B+LNZ’s Generation Next programme in 2022. In celebration of the programme’s 10-year anniversary, we’re catching up with graduates to see where they are now.

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B+LNZ’s e-diary celebrates 25 years

It’s 25 years since the first iteration of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s weekly e-diaries arrived in the in-boxes of Southern South Island sheep and beef farmers.

Choosing the right pasture species

A recent B+LNZ Central Canterbury Farming for Profit field day at Rakaia Gorge’s Quartz Hill Station focused on growing great grass and this starts with selecting the right pasture species for the environment and farm system.

Have your say on the future of on-farm training

B+LNZ is encouraging sheep and beef farmers to have their say on how work-based training should look in the future, helping ensure it is practical, relevant and fit for purpose for our sector.

Lower interest rates drive headline farm deflation

Lower interest rates are helping farm budgets, with Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s latest Sheep and Beef On-farm Inflation report showing total on-farm inflation was flat for the second year in a row.

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B+LNZ quarterly activity update June 2026

The following was emailed to farmers on 30 June 2026.

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Better Beef Breeding workshops draw strong farmer interest

More than 330 farmers attended B+LNZ’s Better Beef Breeding workshops held around the country during May and June.

Shepherds turn out for skills, wellbeing and connection

Around 74 shepherds joined the recent B+LNZ Shepherds’ Dog Training and Health Day at Awapuni Station, some travelling more than four hours, highlighting strong interest from younger shepherds in upskilling.

E-diary notices: 26 June 2026

Tackling facial eczema takes all of us, Update on Waikato Plan Change 1 Final Decision, Wormwise launches fine wool resource, Funding announcements in line with red meat sector’s manifesto calls

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Growing great grass

The more grass grown, the higher the production. This simple summary of pasture-based farming systems was the underlying theme at a recent B+LNZ Central Canterbury Farming for Profit field day at Rakaia Gorge’s Quartz Hill Station.

B+LNZ Chair named Rural Woman of the Year

B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland has been named as the inaugural Rural Woman of the Year at the annual Primary Industries New Zealand Awards.

Southern Long Lunch draws 480 to Gore

Around 480 farming women from Southland and beyond gathered in Gore for the 2026 B+LNZ Southern Ladies Long Lunch, with tickets sold out in just 15 minutes.

Farmers see beef-on-dairy in action

A recent field day at the Poukawa Research Farm brought together a full group of farmers to learn about beef-on-dairy performance, hear updates from key industry partners, and see how the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) work is helping lift value across dairy systems.

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Should I drench light ewes at scanning?

Scanning is a great time to start identifying and managing groups of ewes based on feeding priorities.

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Positive conversations at Fieldays

B+LNZ’s Fieldays site this year was packed full of information for farmers, highlighting the latest tools, resources and support available. Visitors had the chance to put Bella and nProve Tracker to the test, and connect with our team from across extension, advocacy and policy, and B+LNZ Genetics. 

Winter grazing programme three years in the making

Winter forage crops play an important role in Stu and Ginny Neal’s sheep, beef and deer business with all stock, except their breeding cows, wintering on crops for between 100 and 120 days.

Feed and shelter critical factors in triplet lamb survival

With scanning well underway, farmers have the opportunity to identify and priority feed triplet-bearing ewes four to six weeks out from lambing.

E-diary notices: 12 June 2026

Tackling facial eczema takes all of us, Update on Waikato Plan Change 1 Final Decision, Wormwise launches fine wool resource, Funding announcements in line with red meat sector’s manifesto calls

Red meat sector encouraged by stronger export outlook

A strong export outlook for red meat and wool is great news for farmers, exporters and the wider New Zealand economy.

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Q&A: Ben Fahey’s journey to farm manager

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.

Be worm wise grazing vineyards, orchards and solar farms

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

B+LNZ calls for beef bull nominations

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

B+LNZ Focus Group opened doors for Northland couple

A Beef + Lamb New Zealand Focus Group gave one young Northland farming couple the opportunity to identify ways they could make an already high-performing beef finishing operation even better.

Sheep Breeder Forum connects breeders, science and industry

Around 175 people attended B+LNZ's Sheep Breeder Forum in Christchurch last month. Recordings of the sessions are now available to watch online.

A decade of growing young farmers

Ten years ago, Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) Generation Next began with a simple idea to support young sheep and beef farmers to build the skills, confidence and networks they need to succeed.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand staff talking to conference attendee

E-diary notices: 27 May 2026

TB testing changes, B+LNZ will be at National Fieldays

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Out the Gate draws biggest crowd yet

Out the Gate 2026 brought together around 700 farmers and rural professionals in Christchurch last week, making it B+LNZ’s biggest event yet.

B+LNZ update on environmental policy advocacy May 2026

The following was emailed to farmers on 27 May 2026.

Winter worms: why frost won’t fix your parasite problem

B+LNZ Wormwise vet and farmer Mary Bowron busts the myth that hard frosts will kill internal parasite larvae on pastures.

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Farmers gather at Pukepoto Hub Farm field day

Around 80 farmers, trustees and rural professionals came together for the first B+LNZ Pukepoto Trust Hub Farm field day near Taumarunui, hosted at Eadys Woolshed.

E-diary notices: 22 May 2026

Spotted something in our weekly e-diary newsletters and need to refer to it again?

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Winners announced in the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards

The winners in this year’s Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Awards were announced at a gala dinner at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre tonight.

Meet Bella – your B+LNZ Knowledge Hub assistant

Like any good heading dog, Bella (Beef + Lamb Assistant) will listen to your commands – tell her what you want to know and she’ll round up an answer from the Knowledge Hub in no time.

Ask Bella How Bella can help

Find events in your region

Events in your region

All events

B+LNZ Rapid Relief Team Field Day

Flood relief

Thu 13 Aug

Gisborne/Hawke's Bay
Tararua/Wairarapa

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B+LNZ Generation Next Webinar: What’s Your Next Move?

Wed 29 Jul

National

B+LNZ Still Standing, Still Growing Workshop for Rural Women

Thu 6 Aug

Otago