Tony Dodunski Wins Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award
Milking cows in the environmentally sensitive Lake Ellesemere/Te Waihora catchment in Canterbury has kept Tony Dodunski on his toes.
Public speaking, feed budgeting, interviews, farm finances and explaining goals are among the many things entrants in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards learn, says the awards executive chair Rachel Baker.
“Building people capability is the core purpose of the awards,” she says.
“By providing a platform for entrants to learn about farming and themselves, connect with others and achieve their goals we are helping to fast-track the development of many farmers each year.
“Many of our past and current entrants are in leadership roles in dairy and their communities.”
Volunteer farmers and national sponsors ensure this opportunity is available year after year.
The awards were created by farmers 30 years ago, starting with the NZ Sharemilker of the Year (now Share Farmer of the Year), then two more categories -- Dairy Manager of the Year (formerly Farm Manager of the Year) and Dairy Trainee of the Year -- have since been added. People on work visas were this year allowed to enter the dairy manager and dairy trainee categories.
Regional winners for 2019 will be judged again soon in the NZ share farmer, dairy manager and dairy trainee categories to be announced at the National Awards in Wellington on the May 11. Regional results and national awards tickets are available at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz
The awards are sponsored by Westpac, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, DairyNZ and Primary ITO.
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.
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