increase font size
Ash-Leigh Campbell.
The Fonterra 2020 Dairy Woman of the Year Ash-Leigh Campbell hopes her win will inspire young girls to join the dairy industry.
Twenty-eight-year-old Campbell, a Ngai Tahu farm manager, last week beat two other finalists to scoop the title and a $20,000 professional development scholarship.
She told Dairy News that the morning after her win, she received a congratulatory text from a farming family. A nine-year old girl in the family said Campbell’s win had inspired her to become a dairy farmer.
“It felt great to read the text. My win proves that anything is achievable for a young girl if we put our heart and mind into it.”
Campbell was shocked with her win and delivered a teary acceptance speech from her home. Due to Covid-19, there was no awards dinner. Instead a virtual awards ceremony was hosted by Julia Jones. The winner was announced by Fonterra Farm Source head Richard Allen.
Campbell says it was a strange experience.
“There was no glitz and glamour, no getting on stage to accept the award, I was sitting there wearing a dress and woollen socks,” she says.
Campbell says when Covid-19 restrictions lift, she will make a point of personally meeting and thanking Allen and Farm Source for their sponsorship.
She also had special thanks for the two other finalists: Auckland based microbiologist and bio chemist Natasha Maguire and West Coast dairy farmer Heather McKay.
“It’s a pretty unique situation. I haven’t met them, we just exchanged emails, but they are incredible women.”
Campbell says women play a vital role in the dairy industry.
“There are many hats we put on: we do it because we love it,” she says.
She says the Dairy Women’s Network brings women together where they can share stories and inspire each other.
Dairy Women’s Network trustee who heads up the judging panel Alison Gibb said all three women contributed to the dairy industry in very different ways which highlighted the depth and diversity of how women are contributing to the dairy industry in New Zealand.
“Ash-Leigh exudes energy and passion for the dairy industry and has actively sought opportunities to both contribute and grow in an industry she loves,” Gibb said.
Farming leader
As the farming technical farm manager for Ngai Tahu, Campbell has been working for the South Island Maori iwi farming operation for over three years.
In her current role she is responsible for assisting with the management and performance of eight dairy and dairy support farms that includes 8000 cows.
After leaving high school she studied at Lincoln University doing diplomas in agriculture and farm management and a degree in commerce majoring in agriculture.
It was during this time she had her first taste of the Dairy Women’s Network, becoming a network regional leader and the driving force behind the DWN Lincoln group which has now merged into Selwyn.
She also assists with operational and environmental performance (audit and compliance), analytical projects and the implementation and improvement of sustainable farming practices.
Campbell is also chair of New Zealand Young Farmers.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
Celebrating 50 years in the rural landscape of Central Canterbury and beyond, Ashburton-based Carrfields, has been the exemplar for all aspects of modern agriculture via its extensive range of services including supply, growing, agronomic advice and marketing.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided…
OPINION: With fuel prices soaring, one would have expected most farmers to be reclaiming excise duty on petrol.
