An outstanding horticultural leader, known for her knack of turning strategy and ideas into reality on the ground for growers, has been awarded the 2025 Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) Lifetime Achievement Award.

Long-serving Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland has stepped down from his role at the end of June.

Transforming surplus dairy calves into a world-first, shelf-stable functional protein snack hit the spot with visitors and judges alike at the Innovation Awards at the National Fieldays.

CNH has appointed John Gilbert to the new role of business manager for its New Zealand operations.

Joining a team of good people with great products was too tempting a chance to let pass for the newest recruit to pasture and forage company Barenbrug.

Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki is the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy.

Viticulture technician Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands is the 2025 Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year, for the second time running.

Alexandra Bunton, head of public affairs for Bayer Crop Science Australia and New Zealand, has been named Emerging Leader of the year at the 2025 Animal and Plant Health NZ conference.

Hugh McDonald has been appointed executive vice president and CEO for Oceania for DLF Group.

He assumes the new role this month, taking over from John McKenzie.

McDonald has been with PGG Wrightson Seeds, part of the DLF Group, for 11 years, most recently serving as general manager for supply chain in the region.

A new committee for Young Radicles has been established, operated by and for members aged 35 years and younger, and an associate councillor position on the organisation’s executive has been created for members in the same age group.

Afimilk has appointed Waikato-based Justin Miller as its new general manager for New Zealand and Australia.

“The cow monitoring collar market has seen significant growth in recent years,” he says.

Penny Ranger from Waotu and Shamus Young from Tapanui are FMG’s agricultural scholarship winners for 2025.

The coveted Zanda McDonald Award has named its 2025 winners, recognising two exceptional young leaders from the trans-Tasman primary sector.

Australian Jack O’Connor and New Zealander Maegen Blom have taken out the top honours, marking a significant milestone for the award.

Emma Chrystall has joined Catalyst Performance Agronomy as sales agronomist for Ruapehu, Rangitikei, Manawatu & Hawkes Bay. 

Seed and Grain New Zealand and the NZ Plant Breeding and Research Association have appointed a joint chief executive, Sarah Clark.

Warren Tanner has joined SealesWinslow as the company’s new technical sales representative for Franklin and North West Waikato.

Ben Penno has received the 2024 Fruitfed Supplies Horticultural Scholarship.

Irrigation New Zealand chair Keri Johnston says she’s pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Williams to CEO, effective 24 February.

Jaime Heywood is happy to admit he was ‘blown away’ by the scale of New Zealand’s seed industry when he joined Barenbrug as finance director 16 years ago.