Women in rural communities are known for wearing many different hats, and the Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) conference is a showcase of the women going above and beyond in the dairy sector and in their communities. 

The DWN’s 2024 “Enhance, Elevate, Evolve” conference was held in New Plymouth last week, and included the first ever non-dairy farmer recipient of the Fonterra Woman of the Year Award, herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts.

Host Sheryl Haitana takes the opportunity to talk to two DWN award recipients, as well as the CEO of DWN about the inspiring work being done by women in the dairy industry. 

Guests include:
Katrina Roberts, Fonterra Woman of the Year
Jules Benton, CEO, Dairy Women’s Network (DWN)
Rebecca O’Brien, DWN Regional Winner of the Year

Hosts:
Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
Sarah Perriam-Lampp, managing director of CountryWide Media

Fonterra Woman of the Year Katrina Roberts says receiving the award as a herd health veterinarian is a great opportunity to showcase the important role vets play onfarm.

After growing up on a beef and pig farm in Australia, she developed a passion for the dairy industry, especially with the farmers themselves. She talks to Sheryl about the work she’s done with her research as a vet, as well as life as an on-call dairy vet. 

DWN’s CEO Jules Benton says the awards are a great way to celebrate women in the dairy sector, who often just quietly get on with their work. She says it’s also a great opportunity to inspire other women in the sector, to take on leadership roles and get involved in their local communities. 

DWN’s Regional Winner for 2024 Rebecca O’Brien says her award is reflective of not just her work, but of the organisations that she works with. She says without those groups she wouldn’t be doing what she is now. 

Rebecca discusses her journey from growing up in the city, to moving to a remote dairy farm with her husband, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. She gives Sheryl an update on what’s next for her various groups, to keep locals connected in their community. 

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Women in rural communities are known for wearing many different hats, and the Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) conference is a showcase of the women going above and beyond in the dairy sector and in their communities. 
The DWN’s 2024 “Enhance, Elevate, Evolve” conference was held in New Plymouth last week, and included the first ever non-dairy farmer recipient of the Fonterra Woman of the Year Award, herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts.
Host Sheryl Haitana takes the opportunity to talk to two DWN award recipients, as well as the CEO of DWN about the inspiring work being done by women in the dairy industry. 
Guests include:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Katrina Roberts, Fonterra Woman of the Year</li>
<li aria-level="1">Jules Benton, CEO, <a href="https://www.dwn.co.nz/">Dairy Women’s Network (DWN)</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Rebecca O’Brien, DWN Regional Winner of the Year</li>
</ol>
Hosts:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sarah Perriam-Lampp, managing director of CountryWide Media</li>
</ol>
Fonterra Woman of the Year Katrina Roberts says receiving the award as a herd health veterinarian is a great opportunity to showcase the important role vets play onfarm.
After growing up on a beef and pig farm in Australia, she developed a passion for the dairy industry, especially with the farmers themselves. She talks to Sheryl about the work she’s done with her research as a vet, as well as life as an on-call dairy vet. 
DWN’s CEO Jules Benton says the awards are a great way to celebrate women in the dairy sector, who often just quietly get on with their work. She says it’s also a great opportunity to inspire other women in the sector, to take on leadership roles and get involved in their local communities. 
DWN’s Regional Winner for 2024 Rebecca O’Brien says her award is reflective of not just her work, but of the organisations that she works with. She says without those groups she wouldn’t be doing what she is now. 
Rebecca discusses her journey from growing up in the city, to moving to a remote dairy farm with her husband, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. She gives Sheryl an update on what’s next for her various groups, to keep locals connected in their community. 
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SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/">MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)</a>

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.

Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our
thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.

Don’t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the
business of dairy farming into the future.

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.
Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.
Don&rsquo;t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the&nbsp;subscribe button now and <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter</a> to get the&nbsp;latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the business of dairy farming into the future.