Editorial: Having a rural voice
OPINION: The past few weeks have been tough on farms across the North Island: floods and storms have caused damage and disruption to families and businesses.
Golden Bay farmer Wayne Langford has been elected new vice president of Federated Farmers.
He defeated Simon Davies in a secret ballot at Feds’ annual general meeting in Auckland today.
Langford, until recently the Feds dairy section chair, told Rural News that he was excited to take on the new role.
“It’s also great to see the democratic process in action at Federated Farmers,” he says.
“It gives us a clear mandate going forward.”
Langford replaces Karen Williams, who steps down today.
Williams chaired the AGM after Feds national president Andrew Hoggard caught Covid and pulled out of the Feds national conference and AGM.
Langford has been replaced as dairy section chair by Manawatu farmer Richard McIntyre.
Feds arable chair Colin Hurst and meat and wool chair William Beetham were re-elected for another 12 months.
Hoggard was also re-elected president for another 12 months.
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This year, 'Foodie February' sees potatoes take the spotlight as one of New Zealand's most powerful and versatile food heroes.
A multi-cultural team is helping to establish one of New Zealand's largest plantings of premium eating grapes - while learning each other's languages and cultures along the way.
The World Wide Sires National All Day Breeds Best Youth Camp Best All Rounder plaudit has become family affair, with 2026 Paramount Cup winner Holly Williams following in her sister Zara's footsteps.
DairyNZ is giving New Zealand farmers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on governance and leadership experience within the dairy sector.

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