Open to agri-business professionals with natural leadership skills from across Australia and New Zealand, the award comes with a $30,000 prize package comprising; an overseas mentoring trip, a place on Rabobank’s Farm Manager’s Programme and $1,000 cash.

Applicants aged 35 or younger and currently in paid employment in agriculture have until Friday, October 30, 2015 to submit their entries.

The substantial prize package aims to help the winner further their career by opening up networks and opportunities. 

Zanda McDonald was a prominent identity in the Australian beef and livestock industry and a foundation member of the PPP Group

The award was launched in 2014 by the PPP out of respect for Mr McDonald, who died in April 2013 at the age of 41, following a tragic accident on his cattle property. 

This year the Zanda McDonald Award was awarded a Queensland beef extension officer, 27-year-old Emma Hegarty.

Ms Hegarty is the inaugural winner and will take up a 10 day mentoring trip to New Zealand later this month. She will spend time with members of the PPP Group from Landcorp Farming, Allflex, Rabobank, Shanghai Pengxin, NZ Merino and will visit several farms.

Later in the year she will head to Queensland-based MDH Pty Ltd, one of Australia’s largest beef cattle operations, to be mentored by the McDonald family.

Ms Hegarty said receiving the award was a great chance to develop her career in agriculture.

“Having the opportunity to be mentored by some of the most experienced and respected people within the agricultural industries in New Zealand and Australia is one of the best opportunities available,” Ms Hegarty said. 

“I would strongly encourage anyone eligible to apply for this life changing experience.” The PPP Group is a collective of over 130 of Australasia's top identities representing over 12 million hectares (28pc) of farmland across the two countries.