10 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Lanseair Ltd Multi-generational business is recognised Alexia Johnston A passion for animals, the land and farming has helped Benjamin and Renee Howard earn Runner-up Share Farmer honours for the Bay of Plenty at the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. The couple, alongside their young family, farm 240 mixed-breed cows on the Howard family property, called Lanseair, in Awakeri, near Whakatane. Benjamin and Renee are 9% equity partners in the multi-generational business. They balance full-time farm responsibilities with raising two young children, Hailee (4) and Vaughan (19 months), supported by Benjamin’s parents, John and Leanne, who also assist with farming operations during peak times. Benjamin and Renee are pleased with their latest achievement. “Coming runner up was a bittersweet moment, we were immensely honoured and proud to have come second against such high calibre farmers, but we would be lying if we said we weren’t disappointed we didn’t take it out,” they said. “However, unless we reach our farm ownership goal in the next year, it has given us the motivation to enter again and continue to grow.” They both studied Agri-science at Massey University, where they met. Renee grew up around farming before her family left the industry during her high school years, while Benjamin returned to the family farm after working as a dairy service technician and on-farm under Renee’s management. “Both of us are really passionate about animals, pasture and our land and the farming lifestyle is a great experience for raising kids, even if we do make them come to work with us every day of the year.” The pair credit their success to continual learning, strong on-farm systems, and a long-term focus on sustainability and efficiency. They recently invested in their own contracting gear to better manage summer pasture quality and produce supplementary feed. Benjamin and Renee have found value in managing their paspalum carefully. ƂŜƞĈʼnƼ΄ƊƞſſŜƂƖijœħ΄ ĎœŃåőijœ΄π΄ĎœĎĎ΄IŜƶåƂĈ Whakatane 2 Mill Road, Coastlands 0800 77 88 99 Dan Benjamin 021 599 087 Peter Rust 027 634 3622 Proudly Supporting Lanseair Ltd - All Transport Options available - Dairy Pellets The couple, alongside their young family, farm 240 mixed-breed cows on the Howard family property, called Lanseair, in Awakeri, near Whakatane.
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