Beef + Lamb New Zealand director nominations called for

Beef + Lamb New Zealand director nominations called for

5 December 2014

North Canterbury farmer Andy Fox is not seeking re-election to the board of Beef + Lamb New Zealand and will stand down at next year’s annual meeting in March.

Fox has represented sheep and beef farmers for three terms – a total of nine years. He was first elected to the board of Meat & Wool New Zealand and then to its successor, Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

Fox said he had been proud to represent sheep and beef farmers and his biggest satisfaction was seeing more levy-funded activity focused behind-the-farm-gate. Advances in animal genetics through farmer investment via Beef + Lamb New Zealand were especially good.

“There’s been significant per head production gains from genetics, particularly for the sheep industry, and I can see the production improvements on my own farm. We’re doing much better than 10 years ago and that’s because of better genetics in our animals.”

Fox said he was also pleased to note that meat companies and farmers were working closer together than in the past and he believed there was real recognition on both sides that neither could do the job without the other.

The other electorate where the Beef + Lamb New Zealand farmer director is up for election is the Northern North Island. The incumbent, James Parsons, who is also the Chairman of Beef + Lamb New Zealand says he will stand again.

Nominations for either farmer director position need to be made to the Beef + Lamb New Zealand returning officer, Warwick Lampp by 5pm on Friday 19 December. Farmers can call him on 0508 666 447 to get information on how to make a nomination.

Election day will be Friday 27 February 2015, with voting carried out by post and internet. Voting forms will be posted to registered voters in February.

To be eligible to vote, farmers will come from either of these two electorates and must have owned at least 250 sheep and/or 50 beef cattle and/or 100 dairy cattle on 30 June 2014. They must also be registered on the B+LNZ electoral roll by 5pm on Thursday 29 January 2015.

Farmers can register to vote by contacting the B+LNZ returning officer or filling in the online form on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand website: beeflambnz.com/register

About Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd is the farmer owned industry organisation working for a confident and profitable sheep and beef industry. It works to help farmers make informed business decisions and promote their collective interests. Priorities include investing in research and development that meets the needs of farmers and the sector, developing farm and farmer capability and delivering knowledge that drives farm performance. It also works to attract and retain talent for the sector, supports the sector’s market opportunities, advocates for farmers ability to operate and builds sector confidence and profile within communities.

ENDS

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