Dairy industry awards regional finals underway
Manawatu became the first region to announce its finalists for the 2024 Dairy Industry Awards.
At the 2023 NZ Dairy Industry Awards, Jaspal Singh thanked organisers for helping farmers like him prosper.
He said winning the dairy manager of the year title gave him a chance to learn, grow, and excel.
"It has increased my confidence level and my capability to give my best back to the dairy industry.
"I want to say to the entrants out there in the audience, I can see myself in you guys when I started two years ago, when I first entered the awards to challenge myself and see where I was as a dairy farmer.
"The NZDIA were like a mirror for me. I was able to see my weaknesses and my strengths. I worked hard on those things, and you can see now where I am. Wherever you end up in the placings, keep taking the opportunities to enter again and use the valuable feedback to work on.
"I want to say a huge thank you, to the NZDIA and all the people behind it for creating these platforms to encourage people like me to get out of their comfort zone and think outside the box, and to give back to the industry. Thanks to sponsors and industry partners as well. I hope you guys will keep supporting NZDIA and support our future industry leaders."
Singh said the recognition he got after winning the award was amazing.
"Me and my wife Ruby were overwhelmed with the media interviews, new job opportunities and greetings, not only from New Zealand, but from my home country and over the world as well.
"I would say our dairy industry is going through a lot of challenges which are not limited to environmental issues, staff shortages, rising inflation cost, and fluctuating milk prices. But we farmers face challenges every day, learn from them and get ready for new challenges. Hopefully, people outside the dairy industry understand these factors and value us farmers for what we do."
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait is showing no sign of bouncing back from its financial doldrums.
OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.