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.
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.
The black and white coat of Holstein- Friesian cows is globally recognised as a symbol of dairy farming and a defining trait of domestic cattle. But until recently, scientists didn’t know which genes were responsible for the Holstein’s spots.
According to the New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2024/25 report, New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more with fewer cows.

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