28 August 2023
Chris Trengrove, a Canterbury pig farmer and committed industry leader, has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the New Zealand pork sector.
Trengrove, who farms west of Christchurch on the Canterbury Plains, has been presented with NZPork’s Industry Lifetime Achievement award.
The awards were presented at NZPork’s Annual Conference in Christchurch on Monday, July 24 in Christchurch.
NZPork chief executive Brent Kleiss said Trengrove had made an immense contribution to the sector.
“Chris has invested time and energy serving our sector and New Zealand agriculture over many years and established international links with pork industries, researchers and organisations.
“He also has a deep commitment to research and pork industry training.”
Trengrove began his career in banking before switching to farming in the late 1980s.
He served on the NZPork board for 15 years and spent nine as chairman.
He was instrumental in the introduction and development of the sector’s PigCare welfare assurance programme and a major review of import health standards.
Known for his innovative approach to pig farming, Trengrove designed a novel purpose-built farrowing system to reduce piglet losses.
He also pioneered artificial insemination for outdoor pig herds in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Tayla Steele, who works for Patoa Farms in North Canterbury, and Regan Driever of the Stanley Brothers pig farm near Ōpunake in Taranaki, were joint winners of the 2023 Stockperson of the Year award.
Tayla Steele spent years working at thoroughbred racehorse studs before joining Patoa Farms 14 months ago.
She has gone on to gain an NZQA Level 3 qualification in pig husbandry.
