Episode 43 – Celebrating excellence in the sheep and beef sector

In PodcastsOctober 18, 20242 Minutes

The Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards are a highlight of the farming calendar, to come together and celebrate the hard work and excellence of the sheep and beef sector. The judges had their work cut out for them this year, with many notable figures in the industry up for awards, from science and technology, to farming leadership and community involvement. 

In this episode, hear from three farmer award winners. Let’s take the chance to celebrate the hard work being done in our sector. 

Guests include:

  1. Jeff Ravenwood, Fernglen Farm, winner of The Gallagher Innovative Farming Award
  2. Graeme Gleeson, winner of The Beef + Lamb New Zealand Regional Leadership Award
  3. Mitchel Hoare, winner of The AgResearch Emerging Achiever Award

Hosts:

  1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
  2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

The Ravenwood family, who own Fernglen Farm, won The Gallagher Innovative Farming Award. Jeff Ravenwood discusses their diversification journey, establishing a 1300 flock of milking ewes at their Wairarapa farm, enabling all five family members to work in the business together.

Waikato sheep and beef farmer Graeme Gleeson won the Regional Leadership Award at the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards for his involvement in farmer advocacy and industry-good activities. He discusses his experience in the advocacy world, from the 1980s to now, with He Waka Eke Noa and emissions reduction plans.

Te Kuiti farmer Mitchel Hoare won The AgResearch Emerging Achiever Award, for his motivation and innovation towards farm ownership. He discusses his progression through the farming industry, and his community involvement in the sheep and beef sector.