Tune in as we welcome Fiona and Tom Langsford, winners of the NZ Share Farmers of the Year. Alongside taking out the overall prize, the Langford’s also took home the Sustainable Pasture, Business Performance, Environmental Sustainability, People & Culture, Leadership, Farm Safety, Health & Biosecurity, and Experience 2025 Dairy Industry Awards. In this episode, the team share their journey of balancing on-farm excellence at the South Waikato-based dairy operation.

Fiona returned to her family's high-performing 262ha, 1,100-cow farm in 2017, taking over management after three weeks of training, focusing on maintaining and refining the already successful system. Tom joined after the arrival of their first child, and together, they have balanced farming with family commitments through job-sharing and strong systems, achieving commendable results while raising three young children. 

The team delve into their attention to detail in pasture and feeding management led to a farm record production of 510 kg MS per cow this season. Environmental stewardship is at the core of their operation, with significant reductions in water usage and extensive tree planting. Their environmental roadmap extends to 2030, with plans for continued improvements. 

As they take on a second contract milking role and create advancement opportunities for their staff, Fiona and Tom demonstrate that farming excellence is about strategic vision, communication, and creating systems that work for both people and the environment.