Waikato AgriBusiness News June 2021

20 WAIKATO AGRIBUSINESS NEWS June 2021
Winning farmers willing to change
Two Waikato farmers have taken out
a prestigious Fonterra award for their
commitment to sustainability.
Pete Morgan and Ann
Bouma were named the
2021 Fonterra Responsible
Dairying Award winners
during the New Zealand Dairy
Industry Awards, held in May,
and received the John Wilson
Memorial Trophy.
The award was introduced
by the New Zealand Dairy
Industry Awards and Fonterra
to recognise dairy farmers
who demonstrate leadership in
their approach to sustainability
and who are respected by
their fellow farmers and their
community for their attitude
and role in sustainable dairying.
“We had three outstanding
finalists. For an award that
is choosing ambassadors for
the dairy industry we couldn't
have been more spoilt for
choice,” said judge Charlotte
Rutherford from Fonterra.
"Each and every one of
them had strong links the local
community and dairy community.
It was encouraging and
inspiring to see.
"Judging was quite challenging
and we have looked
at the industry-wide picture,
as they could all be ambassadors."
The judges said: “Pete and
Ann are very well-rounded
with a high-level of current
knowledge, especially around
climate change, their emissions
profile and tracking that
over time.”
They noted that Pete and
Ann know things will change
and want to be prepared to
change and that moral concern
is shifting.
“They look at what they
do, analyse it and will do it
differently if need.”
Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell
congratulated Morgan and
Bouma, and also recognised
the other finalists, Philip and
Donna Cram and Chris and
Desiree Giles.
“People want to know
that their milk is coming from
farmers that care for the environment,
animals, people and
communities. Pete and Ann,
along with the other finalists,
are great examples of this in
action,” he said.
THEY LOOK AT WHAT THEY DO, ANALYSE
IT AND WILL DO IT DIFFERENTLY IF NEED
Pete Morgan and Ann Bouma, 2021 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award winners
Lifetime award for Morrinsville farmer
A rural sector stalwart and mentor to many
has been recognised for his contribution
to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards
programme.
Jeff Bolstad
Morrinsville farmer
Jeff Bolstad was
presented with a
Lifetime Contribution Award
by the New Zealand Dairy
Industry Awards Trust Chair
Natasha Tere, in recognition
for his long service and contribution
to the Dairy Industry
Awards and wider agriculture
sector.
“This is the first time this
award has been presented.
It’s a prestigious honour that
is awarded to an individual
that has provided exceptional
service to the New Zealand
Dairy Industry Awards.”
“We have chosen Jeff
as he has been a bonding
strength behind our organisation.
He is a quiet achiever
who has guided and mentored
many entrants over the
years,” Tere said.
“He has been a guiding
light, a father figure and confidante
to many while on their
awards journey.
“Jeff has no ego, just a
pure love and passion for
aspiring dairy farmers. He
has dedicated so much time
and energy to the awards
programme over the years,
through his involvement
on the Exec and behind the
IT’S A PRESTIGIOUS
HONOUR THAT IS
AWARDED TO AN
INDIVIDUAL THAT
HAS PROVIDED
EXCEPTIONAL
SERVICE TO THE
NEW ZEALAND
DAIRY INDUSTRY
AWARDS
scenes guiding, encouraging
and mentoring.”
Bolstad is a former Federated
Farmers’ Sharemilkers’
section chairman and
New Zealand Dairy Industry
Awards Executive member.
As the recipient of the
Lifetime Contribution
Award, he joins John Luxton,
Sir William Gallagher
and Professor Colin
Holmes who are the Trust’s
Lifetime Achievement
Award recipients.