30 | Raising the next generation of leaders Karen Phelps Pukemiro Station is gearing up for its next open day in mid June for prospective cadets to get a taste of what the station’s cadetship two-year programme offers. 2024 will mark the seventh intake of cadets since the programme started in 2018. Farm manager Sam Mann says it is a great opportunity for people to make a start in the industry. “Smaller class size and a more boutique approach means our cadets get a lot more direct one-on-one time with our farm staff and tutors. The result of the programme is that all of the cadets that have finished the two years have gone onto various shepherding roles throughout the country,” he says. The programme focuses on both on farm practical experience and in the classroom learning. RURAL PEOPLE » Pukemiro Station Cadets work towards the qualifications facilitated by Eastern Institute of Technology: New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Operational Skills) Level 3, New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Farming Systems) Level 3 and New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Breeding Livestock Farming) Level 4. Cadets live on site in their own cottage and Sam says a unique aspect of the Pukemiro Station programme is the pastoral care component where for one week every eight weeks one of the cadets cooks for staff and cadets and takes care of the cottage, keeping lawns and gardens tidy etc. “This teaches cadets those practical life skills that they will take to their next job. We’re really big on those soft skills, carrying ourselves with pride in the community and the things we do.” Examples of how the programme builds soft skills include the cadets completing public speaking and first aid courses and Rural Support Trust running a session on mental wellbeing. “It makes our cadets all rounders, with a wide skill base, which ultimately makes them more employable. If they can take good care of themselves outside the job it also makes them perform in the job better.” Pukemiro Station in Otope, Dannevirke, is a 1000ha mixed breeding and finishing property, home to 5,500 Romney breeding ewes and 125 Hereford/Friesian cross breeding cows. All lambs and calves bred at Pukemiro and Otawa and finished on Pukemiro and additional bulls and trade lambs purchased depending on the season. It is supported by a 700ha block called Otawa at Coonoor, 30 minutes South East of Pukemiro. The replacement ewe lambs are transferred from Pukemiro to Otawa in late January where they are grown out to produce a lamb as a hogget and return to Pukemiro as a two tooth the following autumn. The majority of lambs and calves bred at Otawa are sent to Pukemiro for finishing. Otawa is run by a block manager who lives out on the farm and the second year cadets spend a week at a time on farm. The Pukemiro cadetship programme takes just three to four cadets each year and last year there were 40 applicants for the positions. So what is Pukemiro Station looking for in a potential cadet? “My personal top three is keenness and wanting to learn,” says Sam. “The cadetship is here to teach people so we don’t expect them to have all the skills when they come here but they need to be passionate and willing to learn. Initiative is the second thing. Ryan Craw, Ben Soloman and Grady Collis. Proud to be associated with Pukemiro Station
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