First Fonterra dairying award for Matamata farmers

A Matamata couple have won a Fonterra dairying award.

Matamata couple Edward (Wynn) and Tracy Brown are the inaugural winners of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Fonterra Farm Source Responsible Dairying Award.

The couple,who milk 700 cows on 320ha, were judged leaders within the dairy industry in all areas of sustainability, business and farm management,and in the way they gave back to the industry and community.

Their aim was to run an economically and environmentally sustainable dairy farming business, maximising production while minimising its footprint.

The Browns encompass all the criteria through their vision, guiding principles and action.

The award recognises farmers who are demonstrating leadership in their approach to dairying, have proven results and are respected by farming peers and community, future-focused while also being proactive in addressing opportunities and challenges.

"The Browns encompass all the criteria through their vision, guiding principles and actions," NZDIA executive chair Rachel Baker said. "Responsible Dairying is a way of conducting a farm business where actions and results demonstrate responsibility and sustainability.

The management and performance of people, farming system, finances, animal care and ecosystem are all important pillars of Responsible Dairying, and Wynn and Tracey demonstrate these through their actions on a daily basis."

The Browns, who had produced three Share Farmer of the Year finalists in the last two years, said they led by example. They were passionate about their industry and were involved in many different aspects of it, and encouraged their staff to do the same.