Jo Sheridan is Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Mid-Canterbury farmer Tania Burrows is winner of Dairy Women’s Network inaugural Regional Leader of the Year award.
The award recognises grassroots dairy farming leadership efforts from throughout New Zealand.
Burrows says it is a “huge honour” to be the first winner of the award.
“I have a real passion for helping people grow…my goal is to be able to support regional leaders with a mentor programme to grow themselves as leaders in their communities and in the industry.”
Working with her husband, Johno, the couple have three children and are lower order sharemilkers farming 2,000 head of stock between their dairy farm and run off block. They employ four to seven team members on farm each season.
Burrows began her leadership journey as an early childhood teacher, progressing to management roles where she was responsible for up to 150 children, their families and a team of seven teaching staff.
Now involved full time in their dairy business she volunteers as a regional leader for the Dairy Women’s Network and dabbles in leadership coaching.
DWN has over 70 volunteer regional leaders in the country.
Burrows beat three other finalists: Sue Skelton, Waiotira; Central Southland sharemilker Jessica Goodwright; and North Canterbury contract milker Rebecca Green.
The award is supported by insurance brokers Crombie Lockwood.
DWN chief executive Jules Benton says its regional leaders are the vital lifeblood of the organisation.
“It’s so important to acknowledge their efforts and celebrate their leadership in the dairy industry and their communities. All four finalists showed a real passion for leadership and for making a real difference, not only in their farm roles but for the Network and in their personal lives as well. All were committed to ensure the dairy industry thrives.”
Listed carpet manufacturer, Bremworth is undertaking a $6 million expansion at its Napier plant more than two years after the site was heavily damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Federated Farmers is vowing to keep the big banks accountable for their actions and to continue pushing for meaningful change in the rural lending sector.
Farmer perceptions of current economic conditions have risen to their highest level in almost a decade.
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.
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.
OPINION: Will synthetic milk derail NZ's economy?
OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a…