Synlait chief executive John Penno has been named the inaugural Federated Farmers agribusiness person of the year.
Professor Jacqueline Rowarth of Massey University has received an award for Agricultural personality of the year.
The announcement was made on Wednesday night at an awards ceremony held by the federation in Auckland.
President Don Nicolson said Dr Penno deserved the award for showing the utmost confidence in the future of the dairy industry, by opening an $80 million facility in Canterbury earlier this year.