Noticeboard | Issue 226

2026 Elections and Appointments

Next year several NZDFA positions will be vacant by rotation: 

• Two Executive Committee members
• Two Selection and Appointments Panel (SAP) members
• One DINZ Board director

More information will be available in 2027.

Seasonal Climate Outlook November - December 2026

Very strong El Niño conditions are now present in the tropical Pacific and are expected to strengthen further. More details here>>>.

From our friends at Beef + Lamb New Zealand

About 75-80% of our farmers run mixed species farms.  Here are a couple of initiatives from Beef +Lamb New Zealand that we hope is of interest and use for all of our deer farmers.

Have your say: Good Employer 2040 survey

What does a good job on a sheep and beef farm look like today, and what should it look like in 2040? Beef +Lamb New Zealand wants to hear from both employers and employees about what’s happening on farm now, what’s working well, what’s challenging, and what might need to change. The survey takes around 10 minutes, and your responses will help shape the next stage of the Good Employer 2040 project and future levy-funded investment in people and capability, helping ensure sheep and beef farming remains an attractive and rewarding career into the future. Complete the survey here and go in the draw to win a $100 voucher to a supermarket of your choice. The survey closes at midday on 16 November. Any questions can be directed to: olivia.weatherburn@beeflambnz.com

Did you also know about the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Employment Hub?

B+LNZ’s Employment Hub brings together practical tools, templates and guidance to help you attract the right people, set them up well, and support them to thrive on farm. Check it out at www.beeflambnz.com/employment-hub  

The hub keeps growing, with new resources added based on farmer feedback. Used a template, checklist or tool that’s made managing staff easier? Think it belongs in the hub? Let them know at peopleandcapability@beeflambnz.com

Contacts for a UK deer farm visit

I moved to the UK, West Sussex in May for a working holiday. Currently working on a NZ Romney stud.

I would love to meet a deer farmer and have a farm tour and get an understanding of what different challenges they might face to what we do at home in NZ and to see how differently they run their farm systems.

I have been heavily involved in the Next Gen deer conferences and was lucky to be a part of the deer tour. And I have worked most of my farming career on sheep beef and deer farms.

If anyone can help William Bishop, contact him on william.bishop@outlook.co.nz

Jokes of the month

I was raised by two cans of lager...

They were my Foster parents.

Someone asked me to name two structures that hold water? 🤔

...I was like well, dam

The talking parrot

A lady went to a pet shop and immediately spotted a large, beautiful parrot. There was a sign on the cage that said $50.

“Why so little?” she asked the pet store owner.

The owner replied, “Look, I should tell you first that this bird used to live in a house of ill repute, and sometimes it says some pretty vulgar stuff.”

The woman thought about this but decided she had to have the bird. She took it home and hung the bird’s cage up in her living room and waited for it to say something. The bird looked around the room, then at her, and said, “New house, new madam.”

The woman was a bit shocked at the implication but then thought “that’s not so bad.”

When her two teenage daughters returned from school, the bird saw them and said, “New house, new madam, new girls.”

The girls and the woman were a bit offended but then began to laugh about the situation.

Moments later, the woman’s husband came home from work.

The bird looked at him and said, “Hi, Keith!”

Click here to go back to Issue 226 to read more of this months Stagline articles >>