Rewarding farmers who embrace sustainability
Winners of DairyNZ’s Sustainability and Stewardship awards in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards have their eyes firmly fixed on progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy.
Ashburton farmer Cole Groves is taking on two sitting DairyNZ directors for a board seat on the industry-good organisation.
Three candidates have been confirmed for DairyNZ’s director elections this year: Groves, board chairman Jim van der Poel, and Dairy Holdings chief executive Colin Grass, who is also based in Ashburton.
The DairyNZ board has five farmer-elected directors and three appointed by the board.
Glass and van der Poel, both farmer-elected directors, are retiring by rotation and have offered themselves for re-election.
From September 21, levy paying dairy farmers can vote for their preferred candidates.
Electionz.com returning officer Anthony Morton says farmers will have until October 20 to cast their votes.
“Levy paying dairy farmers should vote and have their say for which farmer candidates they believe will best represent their views and guide the direction of the DairyNZ board,” said Morton.
“DairyNZ levy payers will receive a vote pack in the mail from September 21, so I encourage farmers to look out for their pack, which includes information about the candidates to inform their vote.”
Results will be announced at DairyNZ’s annual meeting in Ashburton on October 21.
Groves last year served as an associate director of DairyNZ, attending six board meetings.
He is currently involved in a 450-cow equity partnership. He has also served on the New Zealand Young Farmers executive committee.
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.