On The Up: Waikato's Jo Sheridan is Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year 2025
Sheridan was recognised for her outstanding passion and advocacy for the dairy sector.
Dairy Women's Network trustee and lead judge Jenna Smith said Sheridan brought unstoppable energy, big-picture thinking, and a fierce commitment to making things better for people, animals, and the future of farming.
'She doesn't just talk about change; she rolls up her sleeves and makes it happen.
'Jo is tackling complex industry challenges while passionately championing and empowering young people and innovation.
'For those that know her – and a lot of people do – they know that she is a humble and generous leader, showcasing courage, clarity, and heart'.
Sheridan, based in Pirongia, advocates inspiring young people to join the dairy sector.
She oversees a 140ha dairy farm (Owl Farm), a commercial venture at St Peter's School where young people can walk straight onto the farm and see firsthand the joy of farming.
The farm also opens regularly for visitor days, bringing dairy farming to the whole community.
Growing up on a dairy farm in South Taranaki, she developed a deep appreciation for agriculture, later earning a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Soil Science from Massey University.
With over 24 years of experience, Sheridan has worked in various roles at DairyNZ, and served as an independent industry consultant before becoming the demonstration manager at Owl Farm.
Beyond farming, Sheridan is active in governance, serving on school boards and industry committees.
Her leadership, innovation, and mentorship make her a transformative force in New Zealand's dairy sector.
Anne Douglas, Fonterra's group director for Farm Source, who was part of the judging panel this year, said the calibre and depth of talent across all the nominations and finalists shows the strength of women right across the industry.
'We're thrilled to see Jo recognised as the winner of the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award,' she said.
'Jo is a passionate and visionary leader who has proven to have a significant positive impact on stakeholders, partners, communities and farmers.
'It was clear through the process that she adopts a holistic approach, with a clear focus on sustainability and desire to empower others, especially young people.
'Jo's authenticity and strategic leadership extend beyond the dairy industry into broader communities, and this recognition feels like just the beginning of even more incredible achievements for her.'
Sheridan will receive a scholarship to be part of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.
The scholarship covers the programme fee, travel and accommodation, mentoring and access to Dairy Women's Network and Fonterra platforms to share research.
Judges also acknowledged the other two finalists, Frances Beeston and Lara Sutton.
Beeston, a Canterbury farmer, advocates for mental health and wellbeing in rural communities, with a strong vision to normalise support systems like the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) across the dairy sector.
As a grounded, empathetic and collaborative leader, she brings people together to create safe, connected spaces where everyone can thrive.
With proven leadership through Rural Support and Mycoplasma bovis response, she is committed to making a lasting impact.
Sutton, Waikato farmer, lawyer and the Strategy and Commercial Partnerships manager at DairyNZ, is a humble, values-led leader who creates impact through collaboration, connection, and quiet influence.
With a deep understanding of the dairy industry and an interest in mentoring others, she brings people together to focus on shared purpose and long-term change.
Her leadership style is characterised by transformational thinking, empathy, and a commitment to fostering meaningful connections across the dairy sector.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
Dairy Industry Greenwashing Under Fire As Lawsuits Go Global
Press Release – Greenpeace Greenpeace Denmark has this week filed a formal complaint against Arla – Europes largest dairy producer – accusing it of 'systematic greenwashing.' The world's biggest dairy companies are facing a growing wave of legal action over misleading claims. Greenpeace Denmark has this week filed a formal complaint against Arla – Europe's largest dairy producer – accusing it of 'systematic greenwashing.' The case follows a similar lawsuit by Greenpeace Aotearoa against Fonterra, the world's largest dairy exporter, over false claims on Anchor-brand butter packaging. 'This is part of a global trend targeting greenwashing in the intensive livestock sector,' said Amanda Larsson, spokesperson for Greenpeace Aotearoa. 'Companies like Arla and Fonterra market themselves as climate leaders, while hiding highly polluting practices and lobbying against environmental protections.' Greenpeace Denmark has submitted a formal complaint to the Danish Business Authority – the regulatory body in Arla's home country – backed by extensive documentation showing that the dairy giant has significantly overstated its CO reductions. Arla claims to have cut supply chain greenhouse gas emissions by 13 per cent since 2015. However, according to the complaint, nearly half of that reduction occurred suddenly in 2016 when the company changed its calculation methodology without adjusting the baseline accordingly. Greenpeace Denmark argues that this methodological shift not only misleads consumers but also breaches financial reporting laws in both Denmark and Sweden. Arla's emissions reporting was previously criticised by Swedish media in 2022, after which the company pledged to review this issue. Yet two years later, Greenpeace Denmark has found that Arla's 2024 annual report still relies on the misleading baseline to present its emissions reductions. Greenpeace Sweden has also lodged two formal complaints against Arla. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Greenpeace is suing Fonterra for promoting its butter as '100% New Zealand grass-fed,' despite allowing up to 20% of cows' diets to include imported palm kernel – a product linked to deforestation. 'We think shoppers would be shocked to know that the block of 'grass-fed' butter they pick up at the supermarket could actually be linked to the destruction of orangutan habitats,' says Larsson. 'Misleading claims like this are a real punch in the guts to people who are trying hard to do their part by shopping ethically – it's time for dairy giants like Fonterra and Arla to face the consequences.' These actions mark an escalation in global legal efforts to hold the livestock industry accountable. Last year, Danish Crown was found guilty of misleading pork ads, while a case against meat giant JBS in New York was dismissed. Still, the trend is clear: Big Dairy and Big Meat are under increasing scrutiny for false climate and environmental claims.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
Dairy Industry Greenwashing Under Fire As Lawsuits Go Global
The world's biggest dairy companies are facing a growing wave of legal action over misleading claims. Greenpeace Denmark has this week filed a formal complaint against Arla - Europe's largest dairy producer - accusing it of "systematic greenwashing." The case follows a similar lawsuit by Greenpeace Aotearoa against Fonterra, the world's largest dairy exporter, over false claims on Anchor-brand butter packaging. "This is part of a global trend targeting greenwashing in the intensive livestock sector," said Amanda Larsson, spokesperson for Greenpeace Aotearoa. "Companies like Arla and Fonterra market themselves as climate leaders, while hiding highly polluting practices and lobbying against environmental protections." Greenpeace Denmark has submitted a formal complaint to the Danish Business Authority - the regulatory body in Arla's home country - backed by extensive documentation showing that the dairy giant has significantly overstated its CO reductions. Arla claims to have cut supply chain greenhouse gas emissions by 13 per cent since 2015. However, according to the complaint, nearly half of that reduction occurred suddenly in 2016 when the company changed its calculation methodology without adjusting the baseline accordingly. Greenpeace Denmark argues that this methodological shift not only misleads consumers but also breaches financial reporting laws in both Denmark and Sweden. Arla's emissions reporting was previously criticised by Swedish media in 2022, after which the company pledged to review this issue. Yet two years later, Greenpeace Denmark has found that Arla's 2024 annual report still relies on the misleading baseline to present its emissions reductions. against Arla. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Greenpeace is suing Fonterra for promoting its butter as "100% New Zealand grass-fed," despite allowing up to 20% of cows' diets to include imported palm kernel - a product linked to deforestation. "We think shoppers would be shocked to know that the block of 'grass-fed' butter they pick up at the supermarket could actually be linked to the destruction of orangutan habitats," says Larsson. "Misleading claims like this are a real punch in the guts to people who are trying hard to do their part by shopping ethically - it's time for dairy giants like Fonterra and Arla to face the consequences." These actions mark an escalation in global legal efforts to hold the livestock industry accountable. Last year, Danish Crown was found guilty of misleading pork ads, while a case against meat giant JBS in New York was dismissed. Still, the trend is clear: Big Dairy and Big Meat are under increasing scrutiny for false climate and environmental claims.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Regional property prices set to grow faster than main centres
An aerial view of an Auckland suburb showing many blocks of housing. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton Property prices in the regions may be set to grow more quickly than the main centres. Cotality, formerly Corelogic, has released its latest data, which shows property values nationwide dropped 0.1 percent in May and are now 1.6 percent lower than a year earlier. Hamilton prices were up 0.1 percent in the month but Dunedin and Tauranga were down 0.1 percent. Auckland was down 0.3 percent and Wellington 0.4 percent. Christchurch was down 0.8 percent. Invercargill was up 0.5 percent in the month, Queenstown 1.2 percent and Rotorua, New Plymouth and Hastings also reported growth. "I don't want to make too much of it but I think we've seen that little bit of a split between the regions and the main centres," said chief property economist Kelvin Davidson. "There's a sense there is a gap opening up between the main centres and the regions. It's probably just symptomatic of the market we're in." Photo: SUPPLIED He said while there were some factors that applied everywhere, such as lower mortgage rates and a weaker economy overall, some provinces were benefiting from the comparatively stronger performance of the primary sectors. Fonterra's milk price forecast for the 2025/26 year is $10 per kilogram of milk solids. "Farming is doing pretty well, that might be driving a bit of spending in those areas and perhaps giving people a bit more confidence to be transacting in the housing market." By comparison, areas such as Wellington were still feeling the impact of public sector cuts and it would take a broader-based economic recovery to see house prices lift. He said the May figures were a reminder that any housing upturn would be slow and variable for the time being. "Lower mortgage rates are clearly going to be bolstering households' confidence as well as their wallets, and there were signs of higher loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratio lending activity in the latest Reserve Bank figures. "But it's not one-way traffic. After all, housing isn't necessarily affordable in absolute terms, while the economy and labour market remain subdued too. Indeed, filled jobs edged lower again in April. These are certainly restraints on buyers' willingness to push ahead with property deals or to pay higher prices." He said the nationwide drop in values in May could be reversed next month. "But anybody who was anticipating a sharp or widespread increase in property values as we got further into 2025 continues to be disappointed. "The return to some kind of normality for sales volumes should start to eat into the overhang of available listings on the market in the coming months. But listings are starting from such a high level that buyers are likely to continue to have the upper hand for most of the year, with the associated restraint on house prices." He said, based on current trends, his previous forecast for a 5 percent increase in values nationwide this year could be a bit strong. "Although the year still has quite a long way to run. "Either way, a subdued or 'balanced' market is probably what we've been needing for a while now - opportunities for different buyer groups, first home buyers and investors included, with reduced risk of prices running away from them again." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
