Milne said there had been excellent progress bringing town and country to a better understanding of each other. She said more than ever, Federated Farmers was listened to by policy makers, by Councils and by governments.
"Even town folk who no longer have any direct family connection to a farm have a better appreciation of what farmers are up against to make a living when they're hammered by weather events, pest and disease incursions, and roller-coaster returns from an increasingly protectionist international marketplace," she said.
Milne said her term hadn't come without its challenges, including dealing with fresh water reforms and the cattle disease, Mycoplasma Bovis.
Listen to Jamie Mackay interview Katie Milne on The Country below:
She said farmers had sacrificed a lot to eradicate M. Bovis, and it had been incredibly tough for those impacted.
"It will be a sad day if we don't achieve that goal, but we have come this far and invested so much, so we have to see it through."
At Friday's AGM, Manawatū dairy farmer Andrew Hoggard was elected uncontested as Milne's replacement, and Wairarapa arable farmer Karen Williams was elected to the Vice-President role.
Newcomers to the board include Golden Bay dairy farmer Wayne Langford, who was elected as Dairy Industry Group Chair, and Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer William Beetham, who is the new Meat and Wool Industry Group Chair.
- RNZ
