No regrets choosing cows over boardroom
Winning the 2025 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year still hasn't sunk in for Thomas and Fiona Langford.
Only a few days are left until entries close in the 2016 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
The awards include the Share Farmer of the Year, Dairy Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions.
Entries are being accepted online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz and close at midnight on November 30.
General manager Chris Keeping says of all entries received to date, there are 275 who entered in time to be eligible for the Early Bird Entry Prize Draw of $12,000 in travel vouchers and spending money.
“What’s really pleasing to see is the number of first-time entries across the three competitions, including 86 entrants in the Dairy Trainee of the Year competition who have never entered before, and 60 first-time Dairy Manager of the Year entrants,” says Keeping.
“The Dairy Industry Awards encourage share farmers, dairy managers and dairy trainees to pull their business apart and scrutinise why they operate the way they do.”
She says the recent payout increase announced for Fonterra farmers meant those entering the Awards this year can use the competitions process to analyse their financial situation and look at how to best utilise the money, when it comes in.
“We know there are huge benefits and opportunities to be had for those that do take the step to enter the awards – over $190,000 in national prizes that can be won, networks and friendships developed, confidence gained, business improvement and career advancement.”
The awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra Farm Source, Honda Motorcycles, LIC, Meridian Energy, and Ravensdown, along with industry partner Primary ITO.
More information on the awards, including the entry criteria changes, can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz
*There are three prize draws – one in each competition. To be eligible entrants must proceed through judging in January or February next year.”
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.