Celebrating Excellence: Winners of the 2025 Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards
The 2025 Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards celebrated the outstanding work and achievements in the dairy farming sector on March 5th, 2025. Among those honored were Ryan and Scott Anderson, awarded as the Share Farmers of the Year. These brothers, deeply inspired by the industry’s passion and robust family connections, manage 470 hectares across three properties in Opunake along with their sister Kate. Together, they successfully operate a 50/50 sharemilking business with 1,215 cows and were rewarded with $8,000 in prizes and six merit awards.
Ryan, with a background in building, believes in using their different strengths to manage the business efficiently while Scott, who holds a Bachelor of AgCommerce, emphasizes running a low-cost system focusing on profitability. They aim to expand their family-run business towards land ownership.
Matthew O’Connell was named as the runner-up in the Share Farmer category, bringing home $5,330 and two merit awards. He is contract milking at a 97-hectare farm in Hawera and aspires to transition into a 50/50 sharemilking arrangement with a long-term view of owning a farm.
Roshan Jayadheera, awarded third in the Share Farmer category, focuses on contract milking and managing 400 cows on a 112-hectare farm in Kaponga.
In the Dairy Manager of the Year category, Martin Keegan clinched the title. Working on a 94-hectare property in Inglewood, Keegan leverages his background in mechanical services and enthusiasm for technological advancements in dairy management. His immediate goals include herd ownership and ultimately owning a farm.
Saffron Astwood claimed the Dairy Trainee of the Year title. Her role as a farm assistant involves working with 400 cows on a 99-hectare property in Tikorangi. Astwood continues to focus on career growth with aspirations of stepping into 50/50 sharemilking in the future.
The Awards continue to have strong support from national sponsors and partners, including ASB, Federated Farmers, and Fonterra, among others.
