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.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
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