Keith Neylon, Invercargill, MNZM
For services to agriculture. Mr Neylon has been an innovator in large sheep herd milking. After returning to farming following a 13-year career in aviation, Mr Neylon recognised an enormous potential in large sheep herd milking. Since 2004 his company, Blue River Dairy Products, has expanded and now milks 12,000 sheep and employs 50 people in Southland. He has worked on forming strong export markets for sheep’s milk powder, cheese and ice cream in Australia, the Middle East, Asia and the United States. He also has considerable involvement in thoroughbred horse breeding and racing. He is a past director of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Board and is involved with many jockey and racing clubs.