Data sharing initiative wins national award for saving farmers time
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
Dairy industry leader Tony Wilding says he’s absolutely delighted to be rewarded for his work in conservation and education sectors.
Read: Fonterra pioneer expects much better.
Unlike his stints in dairy companies, Wilding wasn’t paid for his work for promoting agri education and protecting the environment.
Last month, he received the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year’s honours list for services to the dairy industry and community.
“I’m happy that my volunteer work for conservation and education has been acknowledged,” he told Rural News. “My family and close friends are also delighted.”
Wilding, 69, is still actively involved in the dairy industry: owning a 420-cow farm with his daughter and son-in-law in Tirau and chairing Federated Farmers Sharemilker Farm Owners Section.
Wilding was a director of New Zealand Dairy Group for 14 years and the New Zealand Dairy Board for six years. He played a key role in the establishment of Fonterra, and was a director of the Dairy Research Institute.
He was the first community/landowner co-chair of the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust. He has built strong relationships between landowners and mana whenua.
Wilding is currently a trustee and was chair of Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand until August 2019, and has also been actively involved with the Pohlen Community Trust Hospital, the Okoroire School, and the Tirau Golf Club.
Wilding says he loves serving the community and has no plans to slow down.
As chair of Feds sharemilkers farm owners section, Wilding has worked closely with sharemilkers around the country.
Federated Farmers national sharemilkers section chairman, Richard McIntyre says the honour is well deserved.
“Tony is an absolute gentleman who has represented the Sharemilker farm owners well, for the betterment of the sharemilking industry,” he told Rural News.
“His wealth of experience in governance and in resolving sharemilking disputes has been of great benefit.
“He understands the issues sharemilking faces from both points of view and then communicates this in a way to ensure a full discussion is had and a fair outcome is reached.”
McIntyre says at Federated Farmers Wilding has worked tirelessly on the revisions of the various sharemilking agreements and has “a near encyclopaedic knowledge”.
“On a personal note, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Tony for the last five years,” he added.
“During this time, Tony has taught me a great deal about governance, chairmanship, finding consensus and working together to achieve a ‘fair’ outcome for all involved.”
McIntyre says sharemilking is – and will be – in a far better place due to Wilding’s involvement
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…