Wanganui Federated Farmers' members have paid tribute to their dairy chairman Tony Rogers as an outspoken, committed and invaluable leader of his sector.
Federated Farmers Wanganui provincial president Brian Doughty said they were "saddened by the untimely death.
"Tony was such a great character.
"He loved to rib us sheep and beef farmers, at times with some justification, though he was such a good sport given how well we've done as of late.
"I have worked with Tony on Federated Farmers' matters over the past 10 years but we've known each other since being at school together.