52 | Southland farmer steps up for industry Hennie believes Federated Farmers has the power to help. Alexia Anderson Southlander Hennie Amtink’s dairying career stretches well beyond the farm gate. Alongside running a 1000-cow operation near Edendale, Hennie also serves as chair of the ShareFarm Owners’ Section for Southland Federated Farmers, a role he admits he stepped into almost by chance. Hennie and his wife, Gea, moved to New Zealand from the Netherlands in 1990, after he completed an eight month agriculture exchange with the Jones family in Toko, Taranaki, in 1986. He was fresh out of agriculture school at the time, and about to embark on the experience of a lifetime, which has ultimately shaped their lives over the past 30-plus years. It was through those Taranaki connections, that they joined the Swindlehurst farm in Midhirst, where they progressed from labourers to lowerRURAL PEOPLE » Hennie Amtink order sharemilkers over five seasons, before buying a small farm in Woodlands near Invercargill. After three seasons farming in Woodlands, the Amtinks shifted near Edendale, where they have been based ever since. They raised their two sons in the area and| steadily grew their business to what it is today. Hennie has recently added his role with Federated Farmers to the mix, keeping him busy and even more up to date with the ever-evolving sector. “Taking the role on wasn’t really intended,” he says. However, he had attended the AGM in the dairy section in Invercargill, where he discovered the position was vacant. “I felt it was a good thing for Southland to be represented as there are a lot of farms down here being run by share and contract milkers.” While he has only been in the role for 18 months, Suppliers of Crushed Rock & Gravel Phone Daryll • Grading & Rolling • Building Platforms • Lane Maintenance • Drainage • Bulldozing • Tip Trucks Proudly supporting Hennie Amtink Hennie was quick to point out the importance of representation. He says the workload is manageable, but in spring his focus is “farm first” and thanks to good staff and family support he can then get off farm for a break. When it comes to challenges in the sector, Hennie believes finance and career progression can prove challenging. He says in some cases the contract or job expectations don’t align. Other challenges include the availability of jobs and getting finance, particularly for first-time 50/50 sharemilkers, and buying cows at today’s herd prices. Some of those issues can limit mobility within the industry. “Share and contract milkers not leaving their current position, which in return, won’t let, for example, managers move into contract roles.” However, he remains optimistic. He says highs and, unfortunately, lows also lead to opportunities presenting themselves. Hennie believes Federated Farmers has the power to help farmers navigate those shifts. “Federated Farmers can help with this by way of organising information days, in which rural professionals, bankers, insurers, farmers, contract milkers, DairyNZ, accountants, [and] lawyers all shine their light on the dos and dont’s. [They’re] very informative, [with] plenty of time for questions.” He encourages others across the sector to join Federated Farmers so they can get independent advice and be pointed in the right direction when needing assistance. While the day-to-day demands of running a 1000-cow operation keep him grounded, Hennie remains committed to ensuring Southland’s sharemilkers have a strong voice.
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