increase font size
Cherilyn Watson has been named as the new president of the World Holstein Friesian Federation Council.
The general manager of New Zealand’s largest dairy breed association, Holstein Friesian NZ, has been appointed President of the World Holstein Friesian Federation (WHFF) Council.
Cherilyn Watson, who has been general manager of Holstein Friesian NZ for 17 years, will be the first female president in the Federation’s 45-year history.
The Federation is responsible for improving, promoting and developing the Holstein Friesian breed across the globe.
Holstein Friesian NZ president Hennie Verwaayen says Watson’s appointment as president is recognition of how far the breed society has come in New Zealand and proof that New Zealand was producing some of the best leaders in the field.
“For a little country at the bottom of the world, I think Cherilyn’s appointment shows we can and are footing it with the best in the dairy industry,” says Verwaayen.
Watson says she is honoured to accept the role and is looking forward to working with the WHFF Council and members to lead the Federation through an ever-changing world from the global pandemic to the environmental challenges facing all dairy farmers.
“New Zealand farmers are facing similar issues to dairy farmers around the world, from managing our social licence to operate, to addressing environmental challenges. I’m looking forward to working with the Council and continuing to both facilitate discussion and help address those challenges.”
She says one of the biggest challenges currently facing the New Zealand dairy industry is the development of genomics and the ownership of genomic information for the national herd.
“Overseas the development of genomic testing has already led to more structured breeding decisions about the type of cows farmers both want and need to breed. In New Zealand, we haven’t quite got there yet because there is currently no one industry good source of genomic data.”
Watson takes over from Jos Buiting who will remain as a Federation Council member.
It's not often that mother and daughter share the limelight, but for two of Tahuna's Charbelle Holsteins' show cows, that's exactly that happened at the Holstein Friesian North Island Champonships, held at the Waikato A&P Show.
Tahuna dairy farmer Annabelle Scherer is hoping to continue the legacy her mother has handed down to her: One that represents strong female role models in the New Zealand dairy industry.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
Holstein Friesian NZ and Link Livestock have agreed on a strategic partnership to provide HFNZ members with comprehensive services from one of New Zealand's most respected dairy men.
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.
President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on imports into the US is doing good things for global trade, according…
Seen a giant cheese roll rolling along Southland’s roads?
