Ruralco CEO Wins Excellence in Business Leadership at ANZ Business of the Year Awards
Tony Aitken, chief executive of Ruralco, has been awarded the Excellence in Business Leadership Award at the ANZ Business of the Year Awards.
Ruralco CEO Tony Aitken presenting the $10,000 donation to Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust representatives Frances Beeston and Duncan Barr.
Rural retailer Ruralco says it has made a $10,000 donation to the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust (MCRST) following the Ruralco Golf Classic held last month.
The event, held on 11 April, saw 100% of proceeds from player entries, on-course challenges, and raffles directly benefit the MCRST.
The Ruralco Golf Classic drew more than 100 players from across Mid Canterbury. The event was sponsored by Ballance Agri Nutrients and Nutrien Ag Solutions.
The funds will help the Trust to continue its work providing free, confidential support and wellbeing services to farmers and rural communities across Mid Canterbury.
Tony Aitken, chief executive of Ruralco, says the success of the retailer's Golf Classic reflects its ongoing commitment to the region, strengthening community ties and backing local initiatives.
"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part, whether by playing, sponsoring, or donating," Aitken says.
"This event was about more than just a round of gold, it was a show of solidarity and support for the people at the heart of our rural community," he says. "We are especially proud that the funds raised will stay local and directly assist Mid Canterbury farmers and their families."
Aitken says that as a regionally focused co-operative, Ruralco's core purpose is to lower farm input costs for its members. He says the company is equally committed to supporting those farmers' wellbeing.
"Partnering with the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust is one meaningful way we can give back to the communities that support us."
While Cyclone Vaianu remains off the East Coast of New Zealand, the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group says impacts have been felt overnight.
A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato for a period of seven days as the region prepares for Cyclone Vaianu to hit the area.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.

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