SECURING the foundations for a strong future for the agriculture industry has drawn praise from leading producers.
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One of the initiatives being lauded is the Zanda McDonald award, a Platinum Primary Producers (PPP) initiative that aims to preserve the legacy of the late Cloncurry cattle icon Zanda McDonald and assist young agri-business people on their chosen career path.
Cloncurry-based Emma Hegarty, a 27-year-old Beef Extension Officer for Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) scooped the prestigious Zanda McDonald Award 2015.
The award, worth about $20,000, was presented at the ‘Beyond the Top End’ 2015 PPP Conference in Darwin by Platinum Primary Producers chairman and CEO of Allflex Australasia Shane McManaway.
The prize includes an expenses-paid, tailored mentoring package where Ms Hegarty can spend time with three or four relevant PPP members in Australia and/or New Zealand.
It also includes a place on the 2016 Rabobank Farm Manager’s Program, $1000 cash and access to the 130 of Australia’s finest producers and agri-business people who make up the PPP Group.
Ms Hegarty ran against fellow finalists; New Zealand’s Athol New, a dairy farm manager from Christchurch; and Luke Wright, a deer and beef farm manager from Te Anau. She said was humbled and overwhelmed to be the inaugural winner of such a prestigious award.
Mr McManaway praised Ms Hegarty as a tremendously deserving recipient.
He said her work clearly displayed Zanda McDonald-like characteristics of leadership, passion, drive, ambition and commitment to her field.
“If this is the calibre of our young people coming through the industry, agriculture is in good hands,” Mr McManaway said.
CEO of agri-food business Consolidated Pastoral Company Pty Troy Setter said: “We are all passionate about agriculture and about our role in producing high quality food for a growing world.
‘‘The PPP Group considers itself as on the front foot when it comes to navigating the challenges and opportunities faced by the agricultural industries.”
Mr Setter explained the diversity of the Group’s membership – ranging from individual private producers and big corporations through to rural bankers, economists and government advisers – means that PPP members have a big picture understanding of the issues that will arise.
“As well as economic factors, one area which the group is already addressing is helping our future leaders improve their skills.
‘‘We’re doing this through the Zanda McDonald Award.”