New directors for FAR board

Three new grower directors have been appointed to the Foundation for Arable Research board.

They are Edward White of central Hawkes Bay, Michael Tayler of South Canterbury and Hamish Irwin of Mid Canterbury.

Current grower director, Val McMillan, has been re-elected and two appointed FAR Board positions, held by Dr Mike Hedley and Dr John Caradus, have been reconfirmed.

Edward White and his family run a large-scale arable, sheep, beef, and dairy farm at Takapau, with White responsible for the arable, grain drying and handling operations.

He has also farmed in the United Kingdom.

White chairs FAR’s eastern North Island Arable Research Group and has considerable experience with boards and governance structures.

Hamish Irwin is a fifth-generation mixed cropping farmer near Rakaia.

A chartered accountant, he has practised in the UK and New Zealand with international firms.

Irwin is active in the operational and finance side of his arable farm and is involved in governance roles.

Based near Temuka, Michael Tayler farms a range of arable and horticultural crops over multiple properties.

Taylor was awarded a Nuffield scholarship in 2012. He has held various roles across the arable farming sector and is currently chair of United Wheat Growers.

The new appointments follow the retirement of two long-serving directors Steve Wilkins of Southland (12 years) and Guy Wigley of South Canterbury (six years).

While directors normally serve a maximum of three terms (nine years), Steve Wilkins served an extra term to provide continuity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

FAR board chair Steven Bierema thanked the retiring directors for their service.

“They have been very thoughtful and insightful, with a massive amount of knowledge of arable farming, so we owe them a lot.”

An addition director has been appointed following a new requirement for the board to have at least seven farmer members.