New scholarship to grow female leaders in dairy
A new $50,000 scholarship fund designed to support and empower women in the New Zealand dairy industry through leadership development has been launched.
Taranaki farmer Trish Rankin is the new chair of Dairy Women’s Network.
Rankin, the 2019 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, says the elevation to the role of chair is “a privilege” she is looking forward to.
She replaces Karen Forlong, who will remain on the board in a new role as chair support.
Rankin is looking forward to working with Forlong over the coming months to learn more about the role.
“Governing an organisation that has a strong vision to enable transformation change in dairy businesses is so crucial in enabling the dairy industry to thrive,” she says.
Rankin says the DWN has played a big role in her life as a dairy farmer.
Over the years, Rankin has valued her membership with DWN in building her knowledge, skills and friendships. She recognises the wide reach of the organisation and the opportunities available for members and industry partners to come together to empower people in the dairying and agriculture sector.
Forlong says it has been a humbling privilege to be the chair for the last two and a half years.
She says her new role will allow her to pass her knowledge onto Rankin and still have a voice around the board table to support the DWN.
The Push-Up Challenge, an event which combines mental health and fitness, is set to launch in New Zealand in 2026.
Last month's Agritechnica event led to a wide group of manufacturers celebrating successes when the 2026 Tractor of the Year Competition winners, selected by a panel of European journalists, were announced in Hanover Germany.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.