A new National Chair of the Federated Farmers Sharemilkers' Section was elected at the section's AGM on Monday.

The new chairman, Conall Buchanan, has been in sharemilking for many years, and has represented sharemilkers from the Hauraki/Coromandel Province.

The outgoing chairman, Michael Pallesen, was thanked for the work he has done for the sharemilking industry. Mr Pallesen leaves the Sharemilkers' Section after six years as National Chair. In his address to the section AGM, he said that it was a role that he had enjoyed but one with its challenges.

Mr Pallesen congratulated the new chairman and remarked that, "I hope he finds the job as rewarding as I have."

In his Sharemilkers' Section address to the DFNZ Annual Conference on Tuesday, Mr Buchanan outlined his objectives for the coming year.

"It is vital that sharemilkers are considered during any changes to the industry, and that is a major part of the Sharemilkers' Section role. The section must also work to ensure that sharemilkers are informed and fully aware of the consequences of industry changes."

Mr Buchanan said that opportunities in the dairy industry, and sharemilking in particular, needed to be more widely recognised. "Sharemilking can be a real success story for both sharemilkers and the wider dairy industry."

"The section will work to profile the sharemilking industry as a successful business. The Sharemilker of the Year Competition is perfect for this."

Greg Maughan of Marton was elected as Vice Chairman. Kevin Westbury (Matamata), Berwick Settle (Waimate), and Joy Thomas (Reporoa) were elected onto the Executive.

ENDS

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