Sanford chairman Bruce Cole has died after a short illness.
Mr Cole was first elected to Sanford's board in 1987, before coming deputy chairman in 2004 and chairman in 2006.
Chief executive Eric Barrett says Mr Cole had an outstanding business career, and the company has grown from being a $50 million company to a $500 million business during his tenure.
Deputy chairman Jeff Todd has assumed the role of chairman in the interim.
