Ravensdown CEO takes out premier award
Ravensdown chief executive Greg Campbell has been named the 2019 Primary Industries Chief Executive of the Year at the inaugural Primary Industries Awards.
MASSEY UNIVERSITY is well placed to provide the education needed to support the 50,000 new jobs in primary industries projected by 2025 in a new report, says Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Anderson.
Minister of Primary Industries Nathan Guy launched the 'Future Capability Needs For Primary Industries in New Zealand' report, revealing over half of the new jobs will require tertiary qualifications in order for New Zealand to double its exports by 2025. Primary industry jobs cover farming, fishing, forestry and mining.
The report predicts the biggest growth to be generated in support services jobs (researchers, rural consultants, veterinarians, agronomists and irrigation specialists) as primary production and processing becomes more sophisticated and greater value is added beyond the farm gate all the way to the consumer.
Professor Anderson says Massey is in a strong position to provide the educational requirements identified in the report. "This is an excellent and timely report and Massey is well placed to play a full part in delivering the education needed. The fact that the future capability requirement covers the entire agricultural value chain, from land-based to consumers, is especially welcome."
Massey University is a world leader in agriculture, recently ranked 19th in the world by the Quacquarelli Symonds world university subject rankings out of thousands of universities. Massey has an unparalleled breadth of expertise across the value chain offering programmes covering sustainable production, managing resources, plant and human health, innovation in food, and food safety and security, Professor Anderson says.
Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says Massey is committed to working alongside companies, industries, communities, local and central governments and international agencies to find solutions. "The university adds value to New Zealand's land-based industries and continues its contribution to the global agenda of food security and developing sustainable resource management strategies. Our flexibility, breadth of capability across the food value chain and our connectedness throughout the world helps us assemble the best expertise."
"Agriculture and food production are important globally, nationally and personally, and the forces influencing them seem greater than ever. They include population expansion, obesity, pandemics, global warming and food security and safety. We will have to work together to ensure we meet these challenges."
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.

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