Agribusiness stars shine in the 2026 Zanda McDonald Award shortlist

The Zanda McDonald Award - Australasia’s leading honour for up-and-coming agricultural leaders - has revealed its 2026 shortlist. Ten exceptional young professionals from Australia and New Zealand have made the cut for the award, bringing experience that spans the breadth of the agricultural sector, from farm management and financial advisory work to producing sustainably made woollen bags and accessories.

Recognising the next generation of agricultural talent, the award offers a remarkable prize package focused on personalised mentoring and professional development. This year’s finalists, five from each side of the Tasman, have been chosen for their strong leadership, passion for the industry, and commitment to advancing the primary sector.

The Australian Shortlist:

• Bryce Neyland (35), Engineering & Development Manager at Rural Funds Management, Gol Gol, New South Wales

• Caitlin Crowe (27), Head of Department Agriculture, Technologies & Arts at St George State High School, St George Queensland

• David Angus (24), General Manager of Signature Beef, Central Queensland

• Muhammad Kamran (34), Data and Business Analyst at Neogen Australasia and University of Queensland

• Nicholas van den Berg (34), Livestock Agent at Platinum Livestock, Keith, South East South Australia

  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  L to R Bryce Neyland, Caitlin Crowe ,David Angus, Muhammad Kamran, Nicholas van den Berg

The New Zealand Shortlist:

• Chloe Butcher-Herries, 32, farm manager Mathews Station sheep and beef farm, Central Hawkes Bay

• Karn Dhaliwal (32), Founder/Owner of greenfield development cropping business Ohinewai Harvest Ltd & Dhaliwal Ag Ltd, Te Hoe, Waikato

• Lana Marshall (31), Client Director at NZAB, financial guidance and strategic planning for farmers, and 50:50 sharemilker, Invercargill, Southland

• Laura Torpey (26), Crop Team Leader at vegetable produce company A S Wilcox & Sons Limited, and deer farmer, Awhitu Auckland

• Sophie Hurley (34), CEO of sustainable luggage and accessories brand Honest Wolf, Hunterville, Rangitikei

  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  L to R Chloe Butcher-Herries, Karn Dhaliwal, Lana Marshall, Laura Torpey, Sophie Hurley

Award Chairman Shane McManaway said he’s excited by the strong mix of talent coming through this year. “It’s a privilege to see the strength of the next generation coming through. This award plays an important role in both celebrating and supporting future changemakers in the ag sector, and this year’s applicants show exceptional promise. We’re looking forward to meeting the shortlist and hearing their ideas for the future of the industry.”

The shortlisted applicants will have interviews in early December, and from there, three finalists from each country will be selected.  One winner from each country will be crowned the 2026 recipients of the award, at the Zanda McDonald Award Impact Summit in Christchurch NZ, in March 2026. 

The winners will each receive a personalised professional development package, including a mentoring trip across Australia and New Zealand via private jet, $10,000 in tailored education or training, media coaching, and ongoing networking opportunities to support their leadership journeys.