| 15 Role extends well beyond the farm gate For Anthony and Danelle Kiff farming is not just a business but a lifestyle. Karen Phelps For Anthony and Danelle Kiff farming is not just a business but a lifestyle that combines family, community and professional growth. The couple, who were named the 2025 Central Plateau Share Farmer of the Year, see their role as extending beyond the farm gate. The Kiffs also won four merit awards including the DairyNZ People and Culture Award, the Federated Farmers Leadership Award, the Trelleborg Sustainable Pasture Award and the ASB Business Performance Award. The judges’ citations highlighted the couple’s commitment to staff development, sustainability and community involvement, noting their open-door approach to sharing knowledge and providing opportunities for learning. “It’s about seeing growth in our staff and friends and helping people within our community,” explains Anthony. “There are many aspects of farming to love, including networking, being outdoors and watching people progress.” As an example the couple are supporters of a new farmer-led discussion group recently set up in the region, a local initiative set up by farmers including Neville Adams and Tim Drysdale and convened by Chris Hurlston from Farm Source Tokoroa. The group has grown to 68 members and runs every two months, with each session hosted on a different farm. The third discussion group was held on the 235-hectare Tokoroa property owned by the Tauhara North #2 Trust where the Kiffs milk 580 cows, with a focus on arable cropping. “We discussed lessons learned, weed control, contouring ex-forestry land and tackling challenges on the farm,” says Anthony. The Kiffs have been involved in transforming parts of the farm, which is half ex-forestry land, into arable cropping fields, a process the trust has been undertaking for decades. About 100 hectares have been converted, with another 25% of the farm to go. Practices include minimal tillage, direct drilling and utilising Cleancrop pre-emergent sprays to control over 30 weed varieties. The couple’s history in the industry is extensive. Anthony began working on farms at 21 after leaving school at 14, gaining invaluable experience before working for LandCorp where he progressed to farm manager and helped develop staff training programmes. Danelle brings a complementary rural background having grown up in Reporoa where her RURAL PEOPLE » Farmer Led Discussion Group family ran a spray contracting business. She now takes on the farm administration, calf rearing and is full time on the farm while also being a full time mum to the couple’s three children, Shila, 18, Ahlia, 15, and Zavier, 13, who all help out on the farm. While their next career step remains unclear they are readying themselves to take advantage of any opportunity that comes their way. Anthony and Danelle have achieved PrimaryITO levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and Livestock Production Level 5, and are currently studying towards the Diploma. They are rearing 100 beef cows of their own, grazing them on trust-managed land in Taupo, to further increase equity. They have also invested in two beach front sections in Mahia, Hawke’s Bay, and have built a new house on one section and plan to build one on the other one as well and sell it. They had planned to buy the herd they milk but perceive the risk in dairy is high at the moment. “Cows were $1800 each when we had that idea but have now increased by an extra $1,200 each. It’s made us look at other options. The strength of our future lies in making sound financial decisions.” Call us today! Manawatu Shearing Top Service Competitive Rates Covering Manawatu, Rangitikei &Wairarapa areas 021 124 4 926 manawatu.shearing@gmail.com
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