8 WAIKATO AGRIBUSINESS NEWS <strong>September</strong> <strong>2017</strong> Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year nominations Dairy Women’s Network is putting the call out for the next inspiring industry leader. Nominations opened for the 2018 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Award on <strong>September</strong> 11. This is the seventh year for the prestigious award which celebrates the outstanding leadership of women in the business of dairy. Dairy Women’s Network chair Cathy Brown says the network has a proud history of celebrating the success of women and leadership in the dairy industry. “The role of women in this industry is unique and unparalleled. Often these women are driven by their own perceptions of success and don’t realise what they’re doing is exceptional. These awards are about celebrating that success and giving others in the industry something to aspire to.” Ms Brown says 2018’s winner, who will be announced at the Network’s conference in March, will be someone who is passionate about the industry, leads by example, and makes contributions at a leadership or governance level. Jessie Chan-Dorman won the title in <strong>2017</strong> for her wide-ranging contributions to dairy at governance level. She is a Fonterra shareholders councillor, director of the Ashburton Trading Society and a member of the Institute of Directors and New Zealand Asian Leaders. The 2018 Dairy Woman of the Year will be in good company with the five other previous winners: Rebecca Keoghan, Katie Milne, Charmaine O’Shea, Justine Kidd and Barbara Kuriger. Ms Keoghan is business manager at Landcorp Farming, Ms Milne is the first female president of Federated Farmers, Ms O’Shea is chair of the Agri- Women’s Development Trust, Ms Kidd is CEO Agribusiness for Milk New Zealand, and Ms Kuriger is currently a National MP for Taranaki-King Country. Dairy Woman of the Year has been sponsored by Fonterra since it began, with awardees receiving a scholarship prize of up to $20,000 to undertake a professional/business development programme. Fonterra’s NZ Industry Affairs general manager Jo Finer says no other award in New Zealand recognises and encourages specifically the capability and success of women in the dairy industry. “As an organisation we are 100 percent behind initiatives like this that celebrate high performers in the dairy industry. Each year we see incredibly high calibre nominations come in for Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year and I know we will find another outstanding woman for the award in 2018.” Three finalists for the awards will be selected by a judging panel comprising representatives from Dairy Women’s Network, Fonterra, Global Women, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and a previous winner. The 2018 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award will also mark 20 years since Dairy Women’s Network was established. “The Network started primarily as a way for women in dairy to connect with each other,” says Ms Brown. “Now, our purpose has evolved to match the needs of our members, and more than ever before we are providing development opportunities to dairy women who are getting involved in the Fieldays experiences rates highly in survey Results from a recent visitor and exhibitor survey has New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays celebrating another successful year as preparations begin for their 50th anniversary event in 2018. In the survey, 96 percent of visitors rated their experience of Fieldays <strong>2017</strong> as “good” to “excellent” and 92 percent of exhibitors said they would exhibit again. The iconic event, billed as the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, saw a record 133,588 people through the gates – its highest visitor number yet. Chief executive Peter Nation says he’s pleased with the survey results and proud he and his team pulled off another world-class event. “This year we wanted to highlight how broad the primary industries sector is and I think that really came through in the variety of exhibitions and features we had,” says Mr Nation. “The Fieldays Careers & Education Hub is a good example of this, where you’ve got thousands of school students seeing and learning about what goes on in the industry in terms of jobs and education opportunities. These are the kinds of initiatives where you see just and how much the industry contributes on a global level.” The figures for <strong>2017</strong>’s Fieldays event show the impact it has not only on the Waikato region, but nationally and internationally. This year’s event was held over four days, from June 14 to 17. Visitors came from more than 40 countries, with the biggest visitor day of 40,104 on Friday 16 June. There were 988 exhibitors across 1473 sites, nine of them international exhibitors. Unexpectedly, Fieldays also reported 10 skin cancers found via the Health Hub visitor app. The Health Hub was a new area for <strong>2017</strong>, designed to educate and inform Fieldays visitors about health issues affecting rural and urban communities. “The Health Hub was an interactive, fun space designed to put rural health in the spotlight,” says Mr Nation. “The fact that 10 skin cancers were picked up, along with several other significant health issues, was astounding. We’re proud to have been able to provide such a positive platform to raise awareness of the importance of rural health and possibly save a life.” Sustainable practices have become an increased feature of Fieldays, and this year 47 percent of the event’s waste was recycled and reused, preventing it from going into landfill. A record 11,000 people also travelled to Fieldays by public transport resulting in a noticeable reduction in road traffic. “We estimate the public transport provided took about 5000 cars off the road. People were constantly telling us how much easier the traffic was this year,” says Mr Nation. As with other years, hundreds of volunteers ensured the four-day event ran smoothly. “There were 232 volunteers who generously gave their time to help this year,” Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Award <strong>2017</strong> winner Jessie Chan-Dorman. business side of farming. “Our core driver is to give women working in the dairy industry unlimited opportunities. As the business of dairy becomes increasingly complex, our members are gaining valuable education and experiences in the sector – and as that experience is built on, that’s when we see those women being nominated for Dairy Woman of the Year.” She also says anyone can nominate a Dairy Women’s says Mr Nation. “Every year we’re fortunate to have a large group of committed, skilled people help make Fieldays a success. We’re hugely appreciative of their efforts.” Mr Nation says the theme for Fieldays’ 50th anniversary next year will be the ‘Future of Farming’. The 2018 event is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, and will also celebrate the wide-ranging contributions Fieldays has made to the agriculture industry since its inception in 1968. “We have a really proud history as a world-class agricultural showcase and it has come a long way from an event aimed at getting farmers together and bridging the Network member for the award. “You don’t have to be a member yourself to nominate one for Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year. Nominations are made online, and are welcome and encouraged from anyone – a neighbour, colleague, friend – it doesn’t matter.” Visit dwn.co.nz/dwoty to find out more about the awards or to make a nomination. Nominations close February 9 2018. This year’s New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays attracted a record crowd. rural and urban gap,” says Mr Nation. “Fieldays is continually looking to the future and the advancement of agriculture, agribusiness and agritech, and promoting the primary industries in New Zealand and around the world.” A committee of past New Zealand National Fieldays Society presidents and members has been put together to help organise the 50th New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays, alongside extra events, a local museum exhibition and a history book. The 50th New Zealand Agricultural Fieldays will take place from 13-16 June 2018 at Mystery Creek Events Centre near Hamilton. DairyNZ elections under way Two positions on DairyNZ’s board have attracted six dairy farmer candidates for this year’s director election. From <strong>September</strong> 25, levy-paying dairy farmers will vote for their preferred candidates – farmer colleagues whose experience and leadership could help shape DairyNZ priorities and objectives. Electionz.com returning officer Anthony Morton says levy-paying farmers will have a month to vote. “The elected candidates will represent all dairy farmers on the DairyNZ board, provide new leadership and have a real influence on where and how the levy is invested,” says Anthony. “So we encourage dairy farmers to look at who is running and take the time to vote when the pack arrives in the mail at the end of the month.” DairyNZ’s board consists of five farmer-elected directors and three board-elected directors. The farmer-elected director positions are subject to a rotation policy, with Alister Body and Jim van der Poel retiring by rotation this year. After 12 years, Alister is standing down from the board. The <strong>2017</strong> Board of Directors candidates are Ian Brown, Tokoroa, Grant Coombes, Taupiri, Colin Glass, Timaru, Cole Groves, Ashburton, Mark Slee, Ashburton, Jim Van Der Poel, Ohaupo. DairyNZ’s second 2016/17 election was for its Directors’ Remuneration Committee (DRC), however no candidate nominations were received for the position. DairyNZ’s board will determine how this vacancy will be filled in due course. we encourage dairy farmers to look at who is running and take the time to vote. This year, farmers will also vote for several resolutions – including one which could change directors’ terms to three years (from four years currently) and introduce annual director elections. Results from the Board of Directors election and resolution votes will be announced at the DairyNZ Annual General Meeting in Rotorua on October 25. In the meantime, farmers who pay a levy on milksolids are encouraged to vote. “Farmers will get their vote pack after <strong>September</strong> 25 – it’s quick to cast a vote online or by post and will show support for dairy farmers looking to represent you.” www.nmmedia.co.nz Publisher Alan Neben Ph: (07) 838 1333 Mob: (021) 733 536 Email: alan@nmmedia.co.nz 12 Mill Street, Whitiora, Hamilton. Editor Geoff Taylor Ph: (07) 838 1333 Mob: (022) 694 1595 Email: geoff@nmmedia.co.nz Production manager Tania Hogg Ph: (07) 838 1333 Email: studio@nmmedia.co.nz Electronic forwarding Editorial: <strong>News</strong> releases/Photos/Letters: geoff@nmmedia.co.nz Advertising bookings: info@wbn.co.nz
WAIKATO AGRIBUSINESS NEWS <strong>September</strong> <strong>2017</strong> 9
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