Federated Farmers' Bay of Plenty provincial president Rick Powdrell has been elected to the organisation's National Council as chair for Meat and Fibre.

Elected at the organisation's National Conference last week, Rick now serves alongside newly-elected 32nd national president Dr William Rolleston.

Federated Farmers' Bay of Plenty provincial president Rick Powdrell has been elected to the organsiation's national board.

Anders Crofoot is promoted to vice-president, while mid-Canterbury provincial president Chris Allen is elected to the national board along with Rick and Andrew, through their industry councils.

William says he's looking forward to working with, Rick, who is a Bay of Plenty sheep, beef and dairy support farmer with interests in forestry a Te Puke, and Andrew Hoggard from Manawatu-Rangitikei, who is representing the dairy industry.

'Both are exceptionally talented farmers with an outstanding grasp of industry issues,” says William, who takes the top position after being vice-president to Bruce Wills.

Returning board members are Ian Mackenzie and Katie Milne.

Dr William Rolleston is the newly-elected, 32nd national president of Federated Farmers' National Council.

William says he's honoured to be entrusted with a leadership role following in the footsteps of some farming greats.

'Federated Farmers is New Zealand's foremost rural advocate with a proud past and strong future.

'The president must represent the views of its members and Federated Farmers is a broad church. I endorse this principle.”

William says he believes Federated Farmers can learn from all forms of farming systems, including organic practices, so long as these are underpinned by robust science.

'I am fortunate that our Grain and Seed Industry Group chairperson, Ian Mackenzie, is staying on the board for another year.

'Ian is widely respected through work in the Land and Water Forum, even among the environmental lobby. His expertise and wise counsel will be welcome.”

William says he's thrilled to have the support of vice-president Anders Crofoot, as the board's buildings spokesperson, and acknowledges the success he's had, along with staff, in convincing the Government to remove farm structures from its earthquake-prone buildings Bill.

'I will draw on the myriad of skills that the West Coast's Katie Milne offers, especially on the high profile areas of rural security, employment and adverse events.

'As a board member at large, she's joined in that capacity by Mid-Canterbury's Chris Allen, who is fast developing expertise in water policy.

'Speaking of extremely talented people, Bruce Wills has been an inspiration to me.

'His focus on environment collaboration and communication has done much to represent the modern face of farming.

These are themes William says he wished to continue with the new board.

'As a board it speaks volumes about Federated Farmers that someone of Graham Smith's calibre came to us to be our new chief executive.

'As Graham has started the handover process with Conor English I wish to thank Conor for his guidance over the period I was vice-president and before that as a provincial president.

'I am excited for the future.”