Farmer of the Year entries open now

Mike Petersen has served on the B+LNZ Board since 2004 and is not seeking re-election. Photo / Paul Taylor.

Top of the hill
It is competition time, with entries now being sought for the 17th Gisborne-Wairoa Hill Country Farmer of the Year. Farmers, including managers, have until December 20 to file the paperwork.

Entries are also being sought for Hawke's Bay Farmer of the Year contest, the Ahuwhenua Excellence in Maori Farming dairying award, and The Glammies, otherwise known as the Golden Lamb Awards.

Shears school
The next learner shearer course in Hawke's Bay is scheduled for December 2-6 in Central Hawke's Bay. The course is being run by Tectra.

Nominations
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations to fill two farmer-elected director positions on its board. They are for the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island, where both positions will be vacant due to the current directors not seeking re-election.

B+LNZ Chairman and Eastern North Island Director, Mike Petersen has served on the B+LNZ board since 2004. Southern South Island Director, Leon Black is also standing down, having served on the board since 2008.

Nominations to fill these vacancies need to be made to the B+LNZ Returning Officer, Warwick Lampp by 5pm on Friday, December 20. Farmers can call him on 0508 666 336 to get information on how to make a nomination.

Election day will be Thursday, February 20 2014 and voting will be carried out by postal and internet voting. To be eligible to vote, farmers will come from either of these two electorates and they must have owned 250 sheep and/or 50 cattle and/or or 100 dairy cattle. They must also be registered on the B+LNZ Electoral Roll by 5pm Wednesday, January 22.

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