Friday, March 29, 2024

Alison Gibb to head Jersey NZ

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Alison Gibb has become the first female president of Jersey New Zealand in its 114 year history. Gibb is a partner with her husband Russell in Zenith Jerseys at Taupiri in Waikato.
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“As to being the first woman president I believe the membership will be watching with keen interest and while that brings a challenge in itself I'm not afraid of it,” she says.

“In some respects I've been there before. In the early 1980s I was the only full-time female maths teacher in a department of 10-plus.”

Gibb finished 25 years as a maths teacher at Fraser High School in Hamilton in 2008.

“The reality is that it is a sign of the times. Farming businesses are predominantly family businesses where husband and wife are in partnership and the women play a huge role in the decision-making process.

"Male or female, we have a job to do – gender shouldn't enter into it.”

As president Gibb will help the 1902-founded organisation promote the efficiency of NZ Jersey cattle to the national dairy industry.

She’ll also help Jersey cow farmers add value to their herd by promoting Jersey NZ resources to them.

Gibb, one of two appointed directors on the six strong Jersey NZ board, was asked to fill the role after an appointments committee was set-up to find the right person for the job.

“Our members strongly believe in the advantages of the Jersey cow but we need to promote that message to the wider dairy industry and thus build our organisation.”

Alison Gibb

Jersey New Zealand

Her 24 years’ experience in governance of various organisations made her a good choice.

She has served on a school board, served as a trustee then acting chief executive of Arts Waikato, and is a Dairy Women’s Network trustee, which she also served as north Waikato convenor.

 

Gibb said Jersey NZ had been through a tough time and needed to develop a sustainable business model through strong governance.

 

“Our members strongly believe in the advantages of the Jersey cow but we need to promote that message to the wider dairy industry and thus build our organisation.

“There is a growing demand for Jersey genetics world-wide, sustainability and efficiency being the key driver.”

Gibb said the Jersey cow had a number of advantages, including higher fertility and ease of calving. Its lighter frame means less pugging of pasture.

Jersey milk contains more nutrition per litre than any other dairy breed.

“The biggest advantage is the Jersey cow's efficiency in terms of the milk produced per kilogram of feed and liveweight, with many Jerseys producing in excess of their own liveweight in milksolids.

“We have a strong and diverse board and I am looking forward to working with them to propel Jersey NZ to the next level through strong governance, vision and leadership.”

Gibb will help lead the board to develop a strategy underpinning the Jersey NZ business model and delivering growth and sustainability.

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