Record entries for ag award
The Farmax Emerging Rural Professional of the Year Award has received a record number of nominations this year.
EAST COAST AgFirst consultant Hilton Collier is the new president of the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management, replacing Wayne Allan who’s completed the standard two-year term in the role.
“Wayne has been a driving force in developing NZIPIM’s new strategic plan and instrumental in its implementation,” says Collier, who says there’s an increasing need for NZIPIM and its members to play a leadership role within the primary industry, within and beyond the farm gate.
“This includes positioning our farmers and growers to capture global market opportunities and ensure we have a highly profitable primary sector to levels New Zealand formerly enjoyed as one of the best standards of living in the OECD.”
NZIPIM has 700 members including agribusiness and farm management consultants, education providers, farm financiers, accountants, farmers, rural valuers, vets and fertiliser firms.
It’s aim is to promote excellence in primary industry through professional standards, conduct, recognition and continuous professional development of members, and promoting and encouraging people into primary industry careers. Its annual conference is at Lincoln August 5-7. See www.nzipim.co.nz.
Collier is a B.AgSci graduate of Lincoln who joined MAF in 1985 as a farm advisory officer then founded AgFirst group in 1995.
His client base includes many substantial Maori farming operations. In 2012 he completed a Food and Agribusiness Market Experience (FAME) programme including a study tour of China.
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.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.