NZ Dairy Industry Awards 2018 winners announced

Date: 17.05.2018

Some of the most savvy and progressive farmers from around NZ took to the stage at the recent 2018 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards

In the line-up of final winners, Dan and Gina Duncan (Northland) were named the 2018 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year, Gerard Boerjan (Hawke’s Bay-Wairarapa) became the 2018 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year, and Simone Smail (Southland-Otago) was the 2018 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year. They shared prizes worth more than $202,000.

2018-SFOTY-Gina -and -Dan -Duncan ,-Northland

"This year, there have been a few trends among the 33 finalists competing for honours in the awards programme," general manager Chris Keeping says. "The finalists are acutely aware of the importance of biosecurity and health and safety with regards to environmental issues, animal management, and sustainability. It’s extremely positive to see such dedication to these issues within the industry."

Share Farmer head judge Kevin McKinley, from DairyNZ, says the judges were impressed to discover how educated the entrants were, either tertiary educated or looking to upskill themselves.

"We’ve been from one end of the country to the other and we have met a stunning group of people excelling within the industry.

Fonterra -Farm -Source -Responsible -Dairying -Award ---Wynn -and -Tracy -Brown

"We met people who genuinely value other people and how they can help them progress through the industry. They realise you have to look after staff and value them if you want to keep them. The winners will be excellent ambassadors for the dairy industry."

Fellow Share Farmer judges Matt Richards, from Southland, and Jacqui Groves, from Westpac, say it’s fantastic to see people putting themselves out there to be judged.

"The industry is in good hands," Matt says. "They might be doing it differently to how we used to, but the next generation is growing the industry and evolving and the rest of us have to be ready and prepared."