L - R: Russell Mackay, Emma Ractliffe, Alex Coddington, Carla Muller, Claire Teutenberg and Greg Dryden
Emma Ractliffe, regulatory manager at Progressive Meats, has been named the FarmIQ Systems Emerging Rural Professional of the Year for 2026, while rural consultant and director at Perrin Ag, Carla Muller, has taken out the title of Beef + Lamb New Zealand Rural Professional of the Year.
The awards were presented at the New Zealand Institute of Rural Professionals National Conference Awards Dinner, held in Wellington on 18 August 2026.
The 2026 Emerging Rural Professional of the Year Award was given to Emma Ractliffe of Progressive Meats in Hawke’s Bay. As regulatory manager, Emma is accountable for food safety, quality, health & safety, environment, training and enterprise risk across the site, leading a team of 12 staff.
Her core areas of expertise include risk and compliance governance (enterprise risk, HACCP/RMP, audit assurance), regulatory and stakeholder relations (MPI liaison, international customer audits), and health, safety and environmental systems, including animal welfare and water stewardship.
The judges said that Emma stood out as an exceptional emerging rural professional who has already achieved an extraordinary amount for someone at such an early stage of her career. What shone through was her maturity, capability, professionalism, and the respect she has earned from industry leaders considerably more experienced than herself.
They were particularly impressed with the trust and credibility Emma has built at such a young age, and how she earns respect not by being the loudest voice in the room, but by being well prepared, well informed, and highly effective.
Russell Mackay, head of sales and marketing at FarmIQ Systems, was chuffed to see Emma walk away with the award, and the $3,000 in prize money that accompanies it.
“We have sponsored these awards for 14 years and we are always impressed with the calibre of the applicants; this year was no different and the nominees were exceptional. It’s always exciting and rewarding to support our emerging rural professionals, and big congratulations to our winners.”
Carla Muller was awarded the Rural Professional of the Year Award for 2026. Carla is a principal consultant, shareholder and director at Perrin Ag, where she plays a central role in both client delivery and business leadership. She leads complex consulting projects, with particular expertise in work that extends beyond the farm gate, including novel research, economic analysis, strategic advisory, value chain assessment and evidence-based reporting for rural sector clients.
Alongside her own client work, Carla provides technical oversight and quality assurance across the wider team, helping ensure Perrin Ag’s advice is robust, practical and professionally delivered.
The judges said that Carla’s influence, leadership and contribution reach well beyond her years in the industry, and that she was someone who continually steps up, takes on responsibility, and makes a meaningful difference wherever she is involved.
They said that what ultimately set Carla apart was not just her technical expertise or impressive achievements, but the way she uses those strengths to lift others, strengthen organisations, and contribute positively to the wider sector.
As sponsors of the Rural Professional Award, Beef + Lamb New Zealand noted how proud they were to recognise industry professionals at the peak of their careers, who have dedicated themselves to the agricultural industry and contributed positively to their farmer clients, colleagues, and the rural field.
“The calibre of finalists for the Rural Professional of the Year award was exceptional. An exciting array of professionals who will be shaping our agribusiness sector in the years to come. Well done to all the finalists and the outstanding winners,” says Claire Teutenberg, extension manager at Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Jo Finer, chief executive of the Institute, says, "We're delighted to partner with FARMAX/FarmIQ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand to celebrate and recognise the outstanding people within our profession. These awards shine a light on both emerging and established rural professionals who are helping farmers, growers and rural businesses succeed, while also encouraging the next generation of talent coming through. The quality of finalists this year was exceptional, and together with our sponsors we're proud to celebrate the capability, leadership and commitment that exists across the rural sector."
The judges also recognised Alex Coddington from AgriHQ as Highly Commended in the Emerging Rural Professional category, and Greg Dryden of Fruition Horticulture Highly Commended in the Rural Professional category, both of whom had an incredible depth of knowledge in their respective fields and have contributed significant expertise to the industry.
