Thomas MacDonald, 24, is the Business Manager of Spring Sheep Milk Company, based in the Waikato.
He runs the farm development, farm operations and on-farm research for the NZ sheep dairy organisation, and is involved in shaping the future direction of the sheep milk industry.
Macdonald has a Masters of Management (First Class Honours), has four papers published, and is a past Sir Donald Llewellin scholar.
Janet Reddan, 33, a former agronomist now cattle producer, is from Roma, Queensland, and with husband Donald and their three children owns and manages aspects of the families breeding, backgrounding and feedlotting business.
Reddan is a Cattle Board Director for AgForce Southern Inland Queensland, and Chair of the Research and Development subcommittee. She is an advocate for best practice animal welfare, having been involved in the Future Farmers Network Young Beef Producers Forum.
The three finalists were selected from a shortlist of seven applicants, who were interviewed recently in Auckland by a panel of eight judges.
Shane McManaway, award judge and chairman of the Platinum Primary Producers (PPP) - the Australasian networking group behind the award - says it was a tough job for the judges getting down to the final three, but he was confident that they've selected some great future leaders.
"It is extremely heartening to see what incredible achievements are taking place by the under 35s in agriculture. Lisa, Thomas and Janet all display vision, leadership, and a true passion for agribusiness. We all came away from the interviews inspired by what they're achieving, and the opportunities they present for the future of our industry."
The Zanda McDonald Award, now in its fourth year, was set up as a tribute to the enormous contribution McDonald made to agri-business.
The three finalists will attend the PPP Conference in Taupo in March, where the 2018 winner will be announced, receiving a prize package to the tune of $50,000.
