Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmers warned to monitor stock water wells
Sheep and beef farmers in Hawke's Bay are being urged to keep a close eye on the wells that supply water to their stock.
Progressive Meats Managing Director, Craig Hickson is the 2012 Allflex/Federated Farmers Agribusiness Person of the Year.
Scientis Doug Edmeades was named as the Ravensdown/Federated Farmers Agri Personality for 2012.
The winners were announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on Thursday night.
"We are pleased to have such high calibre award winners," says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers president.
"Preceding our awards was the Vodafone Cream of the Crop; the only occasion I believe where all of agriculture's major award winners assemble under the same roof. It is a privilege to have so many exceptional farmers in the same room at the same time."
It was a big decision for judges Andrew Newman, Christine Fletcher and Waikato University's Professor Jacqueline Rowarth.
As Hickson is attending the LambEx conference in Australia, Beef+Lamb NZ chair, Mike Petersen, accepted the award on his behalf.
Hickson runs a mixed 1200 hectare sheep, deer and beef farm in Hawke's Bay and in addition to Progressive Meats, is a member of the Meat Board. He is also a director of Ovation New Zealand and a number of other meat companies.
Wills says Edmeades has worked closely with Federated Farmers as an expert witness and has emerged as a scientific advocate for sensible farming practices.
"Doug is a scientist who argues in the media for solutions and not problems making him a very popular choice," says Wills.
Coming in at a year-end total at 3088 units, a rise of around 10% over the 2806 total for 2024, the signs are that the New Zealand farm machinery industry is turning the corner after a difficult couple of years.
New Zealand's animal health industry has a new tool addressing a long-standing sustainability issue.
The Government has announced that ACC will be a sponsor of this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.
As veterinary student numbers grow to help address New Zealand's national workforce shortge, Massey University's School of Veterinary Science is inviting more veterinary practices to partner in training the next generation of vets.
South Island dairy farmers will soon be able to supply organic milk to Fonterra.
Norwood has announced the opening of a new Tasman dealership at Richmond near Nelson next month.

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