Zanda McDonald Award finalists unveiled
The Zanda McDonald Award has announced its six finalists for the 2024 accolade.
The Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) have signed on to partner with the prestigious Zanda McDonald Award.
AACo owns and operates stations, feedlots and farms comprising around 6.4 million hectares of land in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Managing director and chief executive Hugh Killen says the company can play a role in helping develop the next generation of industry leaders.
“AACo has been helping grow agriculture in Australia for almost 200 years and our association with the Zanda McDonald Award continues this legacy,” says Killen.
“The Zanda McDonald Award is all about making a difference in agriculture. It recognises determination and passion, giving the winner an opportunity to develop their skills and make a lasting difference.
“These are values and attributes that align well with our commitment to drive positive change, and with our purpose: evolving together to benefit future generations. Our focus on sustainability, including an emphasis on shaping agriculture to meet the needs of a changing world, makes this partnership a natural fit.
“We’re thrilled to be associated with the award and help to mentor future industry leaders.”
Richard Rains, chairman of the Zanda McDonald Award adds that he is thrilled to have AACo join the awards.
“Their commitment really strengthens our ability to help take future leaders’ careers to the next level, providing a positive impact on the broader industry.”
The Zanda McDonald Award celebrates young people in the agriculture industry across Australia and New Zealand.
The 2022 winners will be announced in February (3 February for New Zealand winners and 10 February for Australian winners).
Entries for the 2023 round of awards will be open from 1 – 31 August 2022.
Metallica's charitable foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), teamed up with Meet the Need this week for a food packing event held at the New Zealand Food Network warehouse in Auckland.
After two years, Alliance Group has returned to profit.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
Next month, wool training will reach one of New Zealand's most remote communities, the Chatham Islands - bringing hands-on skills and industry connection to locals eager to step into the wool harvesting sector.
Farmers' health and wellbeing will take centre stage with a new hub at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
Dannevirke farmer Dan Billing has been announced as the new national chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) Farmer Council.

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