First-Farm Buyers Braden and Brigitte Barnes Secure Ownership with Award Support
Braden and Brigitte Barnes have taken the leap into farm ownership to purchase their first farm with support from the Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award.
Organisers of the national dairy awards have retained another key sponsor.
Ravensdown has renewed its sponsorship of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) for another two years.
NZDIA general manager Robin Congdon says the farmer-owned co-operative brings a particular style to their sponsorship.
"They care deeply about farmers and this is obvious through the Relief Milking Fund and that they want to be involved with education and development of farmers' businesses and careers," says Congdon.
"With this level of industry support we are confident the awards will continue to celebrate and showcase best practice within the New Zealand dairy industry."
It's been a mixed bag result for NZDIA on the sponsorship front. In June long-time national sponsor Westpac decided to part ways.
However, DeLaval and Ravensdown are sticking with the NZDIA.
Ravensdown acting general manager of customer relationships Gary Bowick says the co-operative remains absolutely committed to the awards.
"The very deliberate process of celebrating success and raising the bar is one of the key reasons why the dairy sector is one of the most carbon-efficient, community-minded and connected in the world.
"As a co-operative, Ravensdown is all about community and our long-term sponsor partnerships like NZDIA reflect a commitment to those established farmers of today as well as the next generation of farming leaders.
"Like every dairy leader who ever entered or considers entering, Ravensdown is positive while always looking for better ways to do the job.
"That 'hunger for better' drives us and we see it mirrored in every aspect of the NZDIA community."
Entries to the 2022 NZDIA continue to be accepted online until December 1.
Sponsors include DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian Energy, and Ravensdown, along with industry partner DairyNZ.
The 2022 National Awards Dinner will be returning to Christchurch for the first time since 2008 and will be held at Te Pae on May 14.
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