The prestigious Zanda McDonald Award, proudly sponsored by Te Mania Angus, will be split between Australia and New Zealand – a decision forced on judges by COVID-19 restrictions.
With four finalists from each side of the Tasman in the shortlist; and because judges are unable to conduct the usual interviews in the one place, it has been decided to have a recipient in each country.
It is anticipated the 2022 will return to the original format once COVID-19 restrictions have been eased.
The Australian finalists are Hugh Dawson, 22, head stockman at Barkly Pastoral Company in the NT, Oli Le Lievre, 28, KPMG consultant in Melbourne and founder of Humans of Agriculture, Rozzie O’Reilly, 28, Breeding Manager at Lambpro in NSW, and Tim Emery, 35, a technical officer with Tropical Beef Technology Services at the Agricultural Business Research Institute in Roma.
The four finalists from New Zealand are Genevieve Steven, 26, a farm enterprise consultant at KPMG in Ashburton; Jenna Smith, 34, chief executive of Pouarua Farms in the Hauraki Plains, Sam Vivian-Greer, 31, a farm consultant at Baker Ag in Masterton, and Becks Smith, 33, director of The Whole Store and veterinarian at VetEnt in Ranfurly.