NZDFA congratulates Tony, Michelle and Kate Roberts and Mark Lieshout (aka Top Deck Trading) who are this year’s winners of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy and become the 2026 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.

Winter has finally arrived in the South Island in time for the school holidays. Snow and flooding are causing some logistical issues as we speak. However ski fields will be rapt to get open and underway for the second week of holidays. The weather is also a timely reminder that although El Nino is now locked in, that doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t rain at all.

The Bay of Plenty Branch of the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association recently hosted a highly successful farm day at Matt and Emma Krs’ property on Paradise Valley Road, bringing together local deer farmers for a day of learning, discussion and networking.

We are now four weeks out from this year’s Next Generation programme and it is shaping up to be a jam packed two days.  It will cover on-farm technologies with Gallagher Animal Management and then red and Wapiti studs on day 1, followed by visits to two venison processors and velvet and co-product retail and finishing up with presentations on deer product markets, banking and animal health.

Notice board & Events | Issue 222 | July 2026

Now in its 14th year, the Next Generation programme is coming to the Waikato and Bay of Plenty on 6 and 7 August.

Today seems to be one of the colder days we have had up here in Hawke’s Bay for a while, even if some of you in South Island would disagree, so writing this is a pleasant distraction to fixing a digger with frozen grease covered hands.

Executive Report | Brian Marcroft | Next Generation | HBDFA Deer 2 Succeed | Notice Board