Dairy unity
OPINION: A last-minute compromise ensured that the election of the new Federated Farmers national dairy chair wasn't a repeat of the Super 15 rugby final - Canterbury versus Waikato.
West Coast dairy farmer Katie Milne has broken the glass ceiling to become the first woman president of Federated Farmers in its 72 year history.
She was elected to the role last week at the Federated Farmers annual meeting, fighting off a strong challenge from vice-president Anders Crofoot.
Former Feds dairy chairman Andrew Hoggard is the new vice-president.
Milne says she became involved in Federated Farmers out of “righteous anger” and frustration at seeing people who knew little about farming telling farmers what to do.
She rose through the ranks, initially serving as her region’s dairy section chair, and was then elected to the Feds national board.
She is also deputy chair of Westland Milk Products.
She and her partner Ian Whitmore farm 200 high BW Jersey cows on their 100ha (eff) property near Lake Brunner, Rotomanu, near Hokitika.
Milne has played a leading role in improving the water quality of the lake by helping initiate smart environmental practices.
She is also a member of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, is on the council of OSPRI, has a role in Worksafe as part of her Feds role and is involved in TB Free.
Milne’s rapid rise to the top is because of her open, friendly tell-it-like-it-is personal style. She is seen as a person who can connect well with Feds members and with the public.
Milne replaces William Rolleston, who stepped down after serving the mandatory three-year term.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
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