30 | ‘Give the Dairy Industry Awards a go’ Sue Russell Carrying strong ambitions to progress her farming career, Ireland Cain has got off to an excellent start. It is just her third season working on a dairy farm and Ireland has already attained Herd Manager status, responsible for 800 cows, on 377 hectare property in Reefton on the West Coast. Having grown up on her grandparents dairy farm at Birchfield and remembering how much she loved being there, it’s not surprising that Ireland would find her own path leading her hopefully one day to sharemilking. “My Dad has just bought the family farm and turned it into a company for me and my siblings. My brother Ivan is managing it, alongside his partner and three kids, so its very much staying in the family.” As Herd Manager, Ireland is responsible for organising two staff and ensuring pasture is managed well. She acknowledges that it took a little while to get used to supervising and instructing staff. “It was definitely a bit of a challenge at the start of this season coming into the Herd Manager role, finding the confidence to be direct but I think now it just comes naturally to me.” Staff are rostered 11 on, 3 off and Ireland says this works well. She says all staff get the benefit of a long weekend. There is a fair and reasonable milking roster which breaks up the early morning starts between the staff, creating a real morale boost. Ireland, who works for Sian Madden and Mark Roberts, has also received industry recognition for the second time in consecutive years. In 2022 she entered the West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Industry Awards and received the Emerging Talent Award; a clear sign of things to come. “I entered again this year to find which areas I was excelling in and where I need to focus my attention moving forward.” The first round of judging is about assessing the applicants practical skill set. “There were eight modules, some were quite challenging, such as the permanent fencing, although I had a basic understanding.” Following the practical skills day the judges narrow down the candidates to six finalists who are then interviewed, where they are asked a series of DAIRY » Ireland Cain / Station Peak Dairy Immigration eases pressure Richard Loader Once a South Canterbury sheep and beef station, Station Peak Dairy has been part of the Pavletich’s lives for over a century. Just 10 minutes from Kurow, the property commenced its conversion to dairy some 16 years ago and is now home to 2100 cows that are milked off a long and narrow 612 hectare platform that borders the north bank of the Waitaki River. Stretching 9 kilometres from top to bottom, the cows are milked through two sheds, one at the top and the other more central, with an 85 hectare fully irrigated run-off at the bottom end that is used for cropping and silage. There is also 600 hectares of hill country, of which 180 hectares is used for cropping and growing grass, while dry cull cows are wintered on the extensive hill country before heading to the works. farming related questions, present a CV and discuss long term goals. “It was sort of like having a job interview.” In receiving the Dairy Trainee of the Year award, Ireland also gained two merit awards – the Dairy NZ Practical Skills Award and the Dairy Holdings Ltd Farming Knowledge Award. Still, when it came to the awards event held on March 16, Ireland wasn’t expecting to take out 1st place. “I was absolutely shocked, proud and just completely overwhelmed.” And with a head firmly thinking about the future, Ireland is moving on to a new farm next season, in Hinds mid Canterbury and intends to enter the dairy Manager of the Year category. “I’m moving with my current employers, Madden Roberts Farming Limited. I am looking forward to improving my skills and gaining knowledge about farming in a markedly different region from the West Coast. ” Her advice to others in the infancy of their farming career is to give the Dairy Industry Awards a go. “You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You meet and form relationships with some of the most knowledgeable and skilful people. Building those connections and gaining confidence has been the highlight for me on my journey throughout the industry awards program.” General farming operations are overseen by fourth generation Pavletich, Mike and his wife Olivia, who also have the role of low order sharemilkers on behalf of the family. “I have a manager who runs the dairy side dayto-day for me, so I now focus more on young stock, cropping and helping out on the dairy platform if and when required,” says Mike. “The farm manager has eleven staff under him. Since Covid it has been sticky trying to find staff, but with the immigration gates open it has made things a little easier. We’ve got some Filipino boys on board now who are learning the ropes. We sourced them through the National Trade Academy. They have been really great at supplying good people who are fresh to New Zealand but who are keen to learn and actually want to dairy farm too.” Being part of an intergenerational farming family that spans more than 100 years is immensely PROUD TO SUPPORT SIAN MADDEN & MARK ROBERTS Agricultural Services General Aerial Services Hunting & Fishing Simon & Debbie Lawn: 027 228 4385 95 Ahaura/Kopara Road, Ahaura, West Coast +64 3 732 3668 · ahaurahelicopters@xtra.co.nz Reefton’s Ireland Cain has won recognition at the Dairy Industry Awards for the second consecutive year. Craig McMillan 027 855 2401 www.heliventuresnz.com • Spraying • Bulk / Bagged Fertiliser • Scenic Flights • Filming & Photography • Seeding • Mustering • Animal Control • Frost Fighting • Power Lines • Precision Lifting • Hunting / Fishing Servicing Otago, South Canterbury & The Mackenzie
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