Synlait CEO Resignation Highlights Deeper Challenges Facing Dairy Processor
A revolving door of chief executives at milk processor Synlait is a warning sign, says Lincon University senior lecturer in agribusiness Nic Lees.
High performing suppliers to Synlait, Canterbury, were honoured at an awards ceremony at the annual supplier conference in Christchurch in July.
“This is the fourth Synlait Dairy Honours Awards and the standard of performance increases yearly,” said chief executive Leon Clement.
“The awards are open to all Synlait milk suppliers, and many winners are Lead With Pride certified. Each award winner and their team have exceeded requirements to show excellence in dairy.
“I congratulate each winner, in particular Kieran McCall of Golden Dairies Ltd who won the ANZ Supreme Lead With Pride Award.”
McCall and his wife Erin, who farm near Ashburton, were overseas at the time but were represented by his parents Graham and June.
The judges were impressed with finalists’ innovative approaches to best practice in their dairy businesses.
The company’s Waikato suppliers will take part in the 2019-20 awards, says Clement.
Lead With Pride encourages and financially rewards participating suppliers to adopt best practice in milk quality, animal health and welfare, social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
The Rural Support Trust is hosting a series of community wellbeing events featuring former NZSAS soldier and Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata.
Government plans to reduce the regulations relating to drones that farmers use on their own properties has drawn a mixed reaction from commercial drone operators.
Families farming the same land for generations, including one spanning 187 years, were recognised at the 2026 Century Farms and Station Awards held in Lawrence, Otago recently.
Cambridge and surrounding communities are benefiting from a new emergency ambulance, thanks to joint funding from longstanding supporters, Grassroots Trust Limited and Greenlea Foundation Trust.
Safer Farms ambassador Lindy Nelson's dedication to "rethinking how the primary sector works together to reduce harm on farm" has been recognised with a finalist place in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards for 2026.
Applications for Silver Fern Farms Co-operative's next board-appointed farmer director are open.