No regrets choosing cows over boardroom
Winning the 2025 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year still hasn't sunk in for Thomas and Fiona Langford.
Organisers say excitement is high for the refreshed 2022 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) programme.
Entries are now open and all three categories have been refreshed and revamped, after months of consultation, feedback and discussion.
Entries can be made online via the awards website www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.
NZDIA general manager Robin Congdon says it's very important that the awards programme remains relevant and that issues raised in feedback were addressed.
The Share Farmer, Dairy Manager and Dairy Trainee categories have been future-proofed to ensure the awards programme provides the best platform for all entrants to learn, connect and grow.
This can be seen in the changes to judging in the Dairy Trainee category, with skills day providing an opportunity to learn, not just be judged, he says.
Dairy Manager conditions of entry changes include removing the minimum time spent on a New Zealand farm in relation to visa restrictions.
Merit awards now reflect the evolving New Zealand dairy industry with the powerplay dropped and the emerging talent award replacing the encouragement award.
Regional merit name changes include the DairyNZ People & Engagement Leadership Award, Environment & Sustainability Award replacing the Leadership Award and the Pasture & Feed Management Award.
"There's also an exciting opportunity for regional sponsors to claim naming rights to the Planning & Financial Management Award, which hasn't been available for many years," says Congdon.
The Share Farmer category has also been under the microscope with changes including an easier entry process, lessening the work load of judges who are all volunteers and to ensure the category is still fit for purpose.
"Changes are also being made to the appraisal process which will help eliminate the potential for it to become or be perceived as a box ticking," he says.
"There's a real buzz around all the changes and the regional committees are excited to put them into practice."
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian Energy and Ravensdown, along with industry partner DairyNZ.
The National Awards Dinner will be returning to Christchurch for the first time since May 2008.
The dinner will be held at Te Pae on May 14.
"We are excited to bring our programme partners, sponsors, regional finalists and their supporters for a week of experiences and personal development in and around Christchurch."
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having…
OPINION: The Gene Technology Bill has divided the farming community with strong arguments on both the pros and cons of…