24 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Ruru Dairy Ltd A huge transition from corporate careers Karen Phelps Fiona and Thomas Langford have been crowned the 2025 Share Farmer of the Year at the national Dairy Industry Awards, taking home an impressive haul of six merit awards and the CowManager experience award in the process. The equity partners and contract milkers, who manage a 262-hectare farm with 1,090 cows, have made a huge transition from corporate careers to become leading lights in the dairy sector. “It came across as a surprise on the night. It’s awesome to have that perspective on your farming business and to have that recognition for the hard work you do,” says Thomas. The couple’s success is particularly notable as Thomas had never set foot on a farm before meeting Fiona. Both began their careers in the corporate world, with each holding a Masters in Dairy Science and Technology through the Fonterra Technical Graduate Programme. In June 2017, after a three-week crash course on-farm, Fiona began managing her family farm with Tom joining her in 2019. The Langfords were recognised for excellence across multiple areas, claiming the DairyNZ People & Culture Award, Federated Farmers Leadership Award, Honda Farm Safety Award, Health & Biosecurity Award, Ecolab Environmental Sustainability Award, the Trelleborg Sustainable Pasture Award and the ASB Business Performance Award. They say staff development and retention have been central to their success. “People are key for us. We couldn’t run the business without them so we have a strong focus on staff retention and having a strong staff culture on the farm,” says Fiona. The couple employ four full-time staff and are expanding their operation to take on a second contract milking role next season, a 255ha effective farm that is part of the family business milking 870 cows, partly to provide career progression opportunities within their business. “It’s a really big step and very exciting. But we have confidence in our processes and procedures we’ve put in place and our abilities as well, and the competition has helped with that too. It’s reiterated that what we are doing is working well,” says Fiona. Their approach to health and safety has yielded significant results. “We have worked hard to create a culture where health and safety is front of mind,” says Thomas. Thomas and Fiona Langford. “The net result is we haven’t had any ACC claims or lost time injuries on farm in the five years we’ve had our contract milking business, so we’re really proud of that.” Environmental sustainability is another area where the Langfords excel. Last year they planted 4,500 native plants – self-funded - and have reduced water usage by 15 million litres annually. The group has also invested in an eight-tonne calf meal silo bin that eliminates plastic packaging waste. The couple, who are in their early thirties and have three young boys, are deeply involved in Congratulations Tom and Fiona on your Success! PHONE. 07 885 1022 EMAIL. info@grahambrown.co.nz WEBSITE. www.grahambrown.co.nz Your business. Is our business. Proud to be associated with Tom & Fiona Langford. Helping to grow rural business throughout New Zealand.
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