Positive changes afoot on the farm
Zealand public understood more about what farmers do.
“We are making many improvements and much has improved.”
Production manager Martin Rostagno was third. He works for Jenny and Selwyn McLachlan on their 210ha, 860-cow Masterton property. Martin came to New Zealand after graduating from university in Argentina as an agronomist.
“I came for just one year to learn about the grass system, but once I arrived here I fell in love with the country.”
Martin identifies his whole time in New Zealand as challenging.
“I’ve been away from my family for the first time, first time on a plane, needed to learn a new language — even asking questions was a challenge!”
Share Farmer Merit Awards
DairyNZ — People and Culture Award: Jonathan and Kerri Robson. Ecolab Farm Dairy Hygiene Award: Chaminda Wijesooriya and Thilanka Aththudawa.
Federated Farmers Leadership Award: Jonathan and Kerri Robson. Honda Farm Safety, Health and Biosecurity Award: Chaminda Wijesooriya and Thilanka Aththudawa. LIC — Animal Wellbeing, Recording and Productivity Award: Jonathan and Kerri Robson.
Meridian Environmental Sustainability Award: Jonathan and Kerri Robson.
Ravensdown Pasture Performance
Award: Jonathan and Kerri Robson.
Lawson Avery Ltd Business Performance Award: Jonathan and Kerri Robson.
Hawke’s Bay DIA Taranaki Emerging Talent Award: Chaminda Wijesooriya and Thilanka Aththudawa.
Dairy Manager Merit Awards
DeLaval Livestock Management Award: Aled Ellis.
Fonterra Dairy Management Award: Amarjeet Kamboj TH Enterprises Ltd Environmental Sustainability Award: Amarjeet Kamboj.
Vet Services (Dannevirke) Pasture and Feed Management Award: Amarjeet Kamboj.
TFM Tractors People & Leadership Award: Rene Ten Bolscher. Lawson Avery Ltd Personal Planning and Financial Management Award: Amarjeet Kamboj.
Hawke’s Bay DIA Emerging Talent Award: Seamus Murnane.
Dairy Trainee Merit Awards
DairyNZ Practical Skills Award: Jacob Stolte.
Hawke’s Bay DIA Emerging Talent Award: Shiann Cattley. MilkBar Farming Knowledge Award: Martin Rostagno.
Farm Focus Communication and Industry Involvement Award: Jacob Stolte.