George Dodson on Efficiency and Low-Cost Dairy Farming
Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.
Changes have been announced to the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest.
A four-member contest board that has run the competition has been replaced with a new contest subcommittee that reports to the NZ Young Farmers (NZYF) board.
The subcommittee will consist of two sitting NZYF board members, a principal sponsor representative and three appointed members with staggered three year terms.
NZYF board chair Ash-Leigh Campbell says the changes will bring contest into closer alignment with the NZYF board, organisation and strategy.
Campbell announced a full review of the contest governance at the 2019 annual meeting.
“Since then, a full independent ‘operational and governance’ review has been completed by Sam Robinson and we have adopted a number of those recommendations,” she says.
“We want to ensure there is an adequate structure in place to support all of our amazing volunteers, enable high volunteer engagement and create clear lines of accountability and responsibility for the contest.
“I believe this new model will not only do that, but will also ensure there are still effective leadership pathways within contest and the NZYF organisation and closer align the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest, culture and strategy for all NZYF members.”
Campbell says the changes are beneficial to ensure the NZYF contest is in the best position to keep moving forward as the flagship competition.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
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The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.
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