International Day of Rural Women: Two DairyNZ Farmers’ Stories
Today, 15 October, is the International Day of Rural Women, which recognises rural women’s contribution to farming, communities and the environment.
Long-serving DairyNZ farmer director, Colin Glass, has announced that he will not seek re-election at the upcoming DairyNZ board of director elections in October this year.
Glass, who has been chief executive of Dairy Holdings Ltd. since 2001, was first elected to the DairyNZ board as a farmer director in 2017.
He is also director of several agribusiness companies and with his wife, Paula, and daughters Hannah and Olivia, owns and operates an integrated 670-cow dairy farm, a bull beef unit and a dairy support property near Methven.
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says Colin has made an ‘outstanding contribution’ to DairyNZ and the dairy industry in his six years as a farmer-elected director.
“Colin has explained to the Board that, given the continuing exciting future opportunities in our sector, he wants to focus more of his time on his leadership role at Dairy Holdings and growing his family’s dairy operations,” says van der Poel.
“On behalf of farmers and the DairyNZ board, I want to thank Colin for his service to DairyNZ and the dairy sector over the past six years.”
Van der Poel says the board will miss Glass’s “relentless positivity, razor-like focus and thoughtful question that always got to the heart of the issue”.
“We wish Colin and his family the very best for their future endeavours.”
Glass’s departure from the board leaves a vacancy, with the next election set for October.
“The Board encourages all levy paying dairy farmers who have a passion for our sector, an interest in making a difference, leadership capability, and an understanding of governance to consider putting their hat in the ring to be a farmer-elected director,” says van der Poel.
“You’ll play a vital role in creating a better future for dairy farmers, by participating in your industry good organisation.”
Federated Farmers has welcomed new rural policies released by ACT, saying they align closely with its own election priorities.
Rural Contractors NZ says proposed changes to land transport rules for agricultural vehicles are a welcome response by the Government to out of date regulations which have seen members hit with huge fines.
Alliance is calling for final applications for its 2027 Graduate Programme, with applications closing on Sunday 25 October.
Decades piloting planes has ensured vet and farmer David Hayes is focused on safety. So, after a serious accident while welding on farm, he is sharing his experience so others can learn from it.
Canterbury milk processor, Synlait Milk has confirmed Leon Fung as its chief executive officer.
OPINION: Making it easier to collect rainwater and use it to grow crops and livestock is a no brainer.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.