FAR Eyes NZ Grain as Dairy Supplementary Feed
Dr Scott Champion, Foundation for Arable Research chief executive, says that everyone in the supply chain had a role to play in driving the sector's long-term success.
Arable Awards 2024 Hall of Fame inductee Syd Worsfold (left) is congratulated by FAR chairman Steven Bierema.
Tickets are now available for the 2026 Arable Awards, set to be held in Christchurch on 20th August.
The awards are dedicated to recognising, celebrating and rewarding excellence within the sector’s people and products.
Honours will be awarded in nine categories highlighting the achievements of growers and the impact they have made to the arable industry.
Nominations have been collected and finalists will be announced in July for the following categories:
The Arable Farmer of the Year will be selected from the Grower of the Year winners and an Arable Hall of Fame inductee will be selected by the awards’ organising committee.
Organising committee member Anna Heslop from the Foundation for Arable Research says it’s been a tough couple of years for arable growers, but this is a chance to celebrate just how good arable growers are at what they do.
“Previous Arable Awards events have attracted over 400 attendees looking for a great night out with family, friends and industry counterparts.”
The committee includes staff and growers from Federated Farmers, Foundation for Arable Research, United Wheat Growers and Seed & Grain NZ.
The event also serves as a way for growers and industry professionals to connect and share new ideas and perspectives.
The awards are now held every two years, with Marton maize grower Simon Nitschke named 2024 Arable Farmer of the Year.
Tickets are being sold on the event’s website, www.arableawards.co.nz. Held at the Wigram Air Force Museum, the reception and drink service will begin at 6pm, with dinner and the awards to follow.
Farmers have until the end of this week to help shape DairyNZ’s future focus.
Wayne McNee, chief executive of AgriZeroNZ, has resigned and will leave the organisation on 15 January 2027.
The New Zealand dairy sector set a record in the 2025/26 season, producing more than two billion kilograms of milksolids for the first time.
Milk powder prices are continuing their merry run, firming up a potential $10/kgMS farmgate price this season.
Teachers are welcoming the outgoing Government’s U-turn allowing agriculture and horticultural science to remain a standalone Year 11 subject.
Outgoing ACT MP and dairy farmer Mark Cameron says Saturday’s election result reflects voters deeply impacted by the cost of living.

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