Four prominent figures in New Zealand agriculture were made officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday honours.
Dr Doug Edmeades, a leading soil scientist and fertiliser consultant, has worked in the agricultural industry since the 1970s and was honoured for services to agriculture.
Vaughan Jones, now in his 80s, is still working as a farm advisor. He has also worked for the Gallagher Group and New Zealand Fieldays Society and was honoured for services to the farming industry.
John Tavendale, of Ashburton has also had a long career as a farm advisor and agribusiness consultant and chairs the New Zealand Black Currant Co-operative. He was honoured for services to agribusiness.
Graeme Milne has been honoured for services to health and the dairy industry. He was chief executive of Bay Milk Products and the New Zealand Dairy Group, and is currently chairman of the Canterbury dairy company, Synlait.
Hugh McCarroll and John Steffens have been named Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to shearing and fishing, respectively.
And George Ward of Ashburton receives a Queen's Services Medal for his contributions to agriculture and the community.
