Tributes for a top farmer
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards has acknowledged the tragic passing of Morrinsville farmer Jeff Bolstad.
Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Manager of the Year winner Stephen Overend needed a little pushing to enter the Dairy Industry Awards.
The first-time entrant was encouraged to enter the Awards by previous entrants.
“My wife pushed me along as this is something that is very much out of my comfort zone.”
He ended up winning the title, $7,125 in prizes plus three merit awards: he is farm manager on Theland Farm Group’s 266ha, 930-cow property at Hororata.
Overend (36) is currently studying towards a diploma in financial planning agribusiness management and holds PrimaryITO Level 3 and 4 in team management and effluent management.
He entered the dairy industry five and a half years ago and has worked for the past two and a half years as a manager.
Overend has learnt to deal with the challenge of stress through good nutrition and exercise. He’s proud that he has a low staff turnover rate and is thankful for the strong support from experienced and knowledgeable operations and technology teams.
Hilton farm manager Salem Christian, 22, was second in the Dairy Manager category, winning $2,250 in prizes and two merit awards. He was the 2018 Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Trainee of the Year.
He currently works for Brian and Ingrid Bolt on their 240ha property, milking 900 cows, Salem counts winning 2018 Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Trainee of the Year as one of his biggest successes.
Christian enjoys working outside with cattle and is making the most of the progression opportunities the dairy industry presents.
Hororata farm manager Tessa Goes placed third and won $2,000 in prizes and two merit awards. Goes works on the Theland Purata Farmgroup 173ha, 590-cow property.
Two butcheries have claimed victory at the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards for 2025.
A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.
The Climate Change Commission’s 2025 emissions reduction monitoring report reveals steady progress on the reduction of New Zealand’s climate pollution.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
The Government’s directive for state farmer Landcorp Farming (trading as Pamu) to lifts its performance is yielding results.
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
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