Noel and Lorraine Fox
Two sets of awards this month celebrated excellence across the sector and recognised farmers at different stages of their careers. Mary Anne Gill wraps up the awards.
Dairy Industry award winners, from left Levi Wesford, Glenn and Georgie van Heuven and Annie Gill
Ōtorohanga dairy manager Annie Gill has been named Waikato dairy manager of the year at this year’s Waikato Dairy Industry Awards, with King Country and Waipā firmly in the spotlight.
Noel and Lorraine Fox of Ōtorohanga were recognised at the Waikato farm environment awards.
The 24‑year‑old, who manages a 56‑hectare dairy farm near Ōtorohanga, took out the prestigious title at the annual awards dinner held in Cambridge, recognising her strong leadership, technical skill and clear pathway toward future progression in the dairy industry.
Meanwhile, Noel and Lorraine Fox of Ōtorohanga were recognised at the Waikato Regional Ballance Farm Environment Awards ceremony in Hamilton, winning both the Livestock Farm and Sustainability and Stewardship awards.
Luke Campion of Hopehill Farm, Cambridge, won the Risk Management Award, while North Waikato sheep and beef farmers Jon and Fiona Sherlock were named overall winners, recognised for their powerful combination of profitability, innovation and environmental stewardship.
Ōtorohanga dairy manager Annie Gill
Judges at the dairy awards praised Gill’s strong financial literacy, structured career planning and passion for stock work and breeding.
“I’ve always had a shared passion for pedigree cows with my Dad, and I’m lucky enough to live that passion every day,” Gill said.
“I love genetics, breeding and seeing our stock do well for other people.”
Gill has set her sights on becoming a sharemilker within the next two years, with plans to build equity through the sale of Holsteins.
Waipā was also well represented among this year’s dairy award winners, with Cambridge‑based Levi Wesford named the 2026 Waikato dairy trainee of the year. The 20‑year‑old assistant manager milks 220 cows on a 100‑hectare property near Cambridge and was recognised for his focus on efficiency, technology and ongoing skill development.
Risk management award winner Luke Campion of Cambridge.
Third place in the dairy trainee category went to Renee Teers, 23, a farm assistant on Acacia Farms’ 165‑hectare property in Pukeatua, where she milks 465 cows.
Wesford, who did not come from a farming background, said the awards had played a key role in helping him build confidence and industry connections.
“The awards are a great opportunity to network with rural professionals and leading farmers,” he said.
“I want to set myself up with the skills to run my own business and eventually my own farm.”
Third place in the dairy manager category went to George Eaddy, who works for Kevin and Cherie van der Poel on their 95‑hectare farm at Ōhaupō, milking 390 cows.
Dairy trainee of the year Levi Wesford of Cambridge.
The Waikato Dairy Industry Awards also saw Glenn and Georgie van Heuven of Matamata named Waikato share farmers of the year, alongside the presentation of multiple merit awards across management, sustainability and innovation categories.
Waikato Dairy Industry Awards – Share Farmer: Winner – Georgie & Glenn van Heuven (Matamata); runner‑up – Deependra Parajuli (Waitoa); third – Emma Walton & Jared Van Tiel (Puketaha).
Dairy Manager: Winner – Annie Gill (Ōtorohanga); runner‑up – Danielle Brown (Morrinsville); third – George Eaddy (Ōhaupō).
Dairy Trainee: Winner – Levi Wesford (Cambridge); runner‑up – Abigail McLean (Morrinsville); third – Renee Teers (Pukeatua).
Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards: Jon and Fiona Sherlock (Otorohaea), Noel and Lorraine Fox (Ōtorohanga), Willy and Keely Muir (Waiuku), Luke Campion (Cambridge).
Jon and Fiona Sherlock (Otorohaea) at the Ballance Awards
Glenn and Georgie van Heuven
