| 3 nzdairy DAIRY AWARDS » National Winners Rising stars crowned at National awards Held at Coronet Peak, Queenstown on Saturday 11 May, the 2024 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards saw 470 people from across the dairy industry gather for a gala dinner to hear the 2024 National winners announced. The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards programme drives best practice for better dairying tomorrow and drives change in areas such as environmental sustainability and animal welfare and the evening was an opportunity to celebrate the great work the rising stars of the industry are doing. The programme shows farmers where they sit in the environmental and sustainability space, how they can improve and who can help them do that. The judges were impressed at the high calibre and diversity of the national finalists. “The finalists may have had different backgrounds, ages, experiences, systems and attitudes however they are all passionate about the dairy industry and the future that they want to be part of.” First time entrants Will Hinton and Kali Rangiawha from Manawatu were named the 2024 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year, impressing the judges with the strength of their partnership. They also won two merit awards, the Ravensdown Sustainable Pasture Award and the Meridian Environmental Sustainability Award, and took home more than $55,000 in prizes. “They are a very good team and one could pick up where the other left off. They are impressive with numbers and are extremely passionate about the dairy industry, what they’re doing and how they’re doing it. They are constantly looking for ways to make positive change, both on and off farm,” the judges said. Northland’s Kieran McCahon became the 2024 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year and Kirwyn Ellis from Waikato was announced the 2024 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year. James and Debbie Stewart from Dairylands in Manawatu were named the 2024 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award recipients, taking home the John Wilson Memorial Trophy. This award, which received more than 20 nominations across all regions this year, was created to recognise and celebrate dairy farmers who demonstrate leadership in their approach to sustainability and who are passionate about the four pillars of Responsible Dairying – people and community, finance, environment and animal welfare. “We were left with one big question following our time with Debbie and James – what more could anyone do to demonstrate the notion of ‘responsible dairying’? Their passion, professionalism and leadership within the industry across all aspects of their business is beyond impressive and only surpassed by their dedication to giving back to their local community,” says head panellist Michael Hide. Paul and Sarah Koopal from Central Plateau won the CowManager Experience Award and was provided the cow monitoring system for three years. The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by National Sponsors CowManager, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian, Ravensdown, and Trelleborg, and industry partners DairyNZ, MediaWorks and Rural Training Solutions NZ. 2024 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year Will Hinton and Kali Rangiawha, Manawatu. NZ Dairy Manager of the Year Kieran McCahon, Northland. NZ Dairy Trainee of the Year Kirwyn Ellis, Waikato. 2024 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award Recipients, James and Debbie Stewart, Dairylands, Manawatu. TRACTOR PARTS DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR HIGH QUALITY NEW AND USED PARTS FOR MOST TRACTOR MAKES & MODELS Delivered to your farm within 2-3 days NEW TRACTOR PARTS ENGINE PARTS TRACTOR DISMANTLING All The Common Brands & Complete Engines www.agspares.co.nz Russell Fredric
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