Emma Ractliffe, Regulatory Manager at Progressive Meats, has been named the FarmIQ Systems Emerging Rural Professional of the Year for 2026, while rural consultant and director at Perrin Ag, Carla Muller, has taken out the title of Beef + Lamb New Zealand Rural Professional of the Year.

Two respected leaders whose work has helped shape New Zealand’s animal and plant health sector have been recognised for their contributions by the industry’s leading advocacy body.

Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) has confirmed several governance changes, including the appointment of Nicola Smith as President.

UPL New Zealand continues to invest in the future of New Zealand agriculture through its annual UPL Lincoln University Scholarship, recognising three exceptional students in 2026.

Maintaining public confidence in farming and protecting New Zealand’s access to international markets will be two important challenges for the sector.

Ruralco has appointed Nicola Peddie as General Manager Sales, a newly created leadership role that reflects the co-operative's commitment to strengthening member relationships and delivering even greater value to Mid Canterbury farmers.

Syngenta New Zealand’s most recently appointed Territory Sales Manager, Gart Geurts, may not have been the role for long, but he is happily getting his boots dirty on growers’ properties across a broad range of North Island crops.

For the first time in 26 years, Perrin Ag has appointed an agribusiness consultant in Hawke’s Bay.

For Carley Pryce, wool has never been ‘just a job’. It’s been a thread running through her working life since she was a teenager, shaping her skills, her confidence, and her connection to rural New Zealand.

Well-known Gisborne-based agribusiness executive Richard Burke has joined the board of directors at Corson Grain.

UPL New Zealand has appointed Paul Dunn as head of sales, bringing more than three decades of industry experience to the business as it continues to build momentum across the NZ crop protection market.

First impressions count on-farm and according to CRV’s newest team leader, Pete Manson, they often set the tone for the entire relationship.

Hawke’s Bay-based Jeremy Klingender has been appointed Barenbrug’s new area manager for the East Coast of the North Island.

Lucy Bell has joined PGG Wrightson Seeds as sales agronomist for Otago and Central Otago, based in Dunedin.

Crop protection provider Kenso NZ is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Pattullo, who takes the position of New Zealand forestry sales manager.

A third-year agribusiness student from a Taranaki dairy farming family has been named the second recipient of the Dr Warren Parker and Pamu agricultural scholarship.

Waikato horticulturalist Karn Dhaliwal is proof that innovation, hard work and a willingness to back yourself can open doors in rural New Zealand.

New Zealand agritech company HortPlus has announced key appointments to its senior leadership team as it positions itself for growth and international expansion.

Rural Leaders’ new chief executive comes to the role after more than 25 years working alongside farmers, growers and agribusinesses in New Zealand and offshore.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand was ‘blown away’ by the quality and number of applications for its inaugural 2026 Agricultural Student Scholarships.