24 | nzdairy “I tried to encourage the entrants to be relaxed about it. There’s really not a lot to worry about if you’re prepared – and they all know their business.” Positive focus brings out the best at awards Kim Newth DAIRY PEOPLE » Michael & Shahn Smith Taking part in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards from the other side – as a regional team leader, rather than an entrant – has been a rewarding experience for Southland’s Shahn Smith. Shahn and husband Michael, who sharemilk a herd of 600 cows on a 187-hectare platform at Ermedale, won last year’s Southland/Otago Share Farmer of the Year title. This time round, Shahn has been getting a very different perspective on the awards as Southland/ Otago’s Share Farmer of the Year Team Leader. “Before this, I really had no comprehension of the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to organise the venues, sponsors, budgets and funding and making sure the competition for each region is fair and equitable,” says Shahn. “It’s a really well-oiled machine.” Shahn’s role as team leader has involved helping to recruit entrants, organise launch and sponsorship events, as well as offering advice and preparing entrants for judging. She is delighted at how well the region responded, with nine share farmers and contract milkers throwing their hat in the ring. “That’s the best we have had here in a really long time. From the conversations that I’ve had with the entrants, I think a lot of people have seen this as a good opportunity to focus on their business, goal setting and planning.” A year ago, Shahn and Michael were the ones preparing their data for the judges. Entering the Share Farmer of the Year enabled them to take stock and reflect on where they had come from, what they had achieved and what their goals were into the future. “We found it really beneficial in that way.” Entrants for the Share Farmer of the Year Awards are assessed on a range of factors including people and culture, financial and business acumen, farm hygiene, health & safety and biosecurity, pasture and feed, and livestock management. For first-time entrants, it can look a little intimidating but, as Shahn points out, most farmers are already used to sharing their data with farm advisors and can draw on multiple reports to track their performance. Of course, the real challenge lies in being able to put it all together for the judges on the day. “It all comes down to that in the end, but I tried to encourage the entrants to be relaxed about it. There’s really not a lot to worry about if you’re prepared – and they all know their business.” At the time of writing, Shahn was looking forward to attending the Regional Awards Dinner in Invercargill on 27 March, but she won’t be at the National Final Gala dinner in Queenstown this May. Sponsors night at Waimumu after preliminary judging for the Manager and Sharefarmer entrants. A year ago, Shahn and Michael were the ones preparing their data for the judges, entering the Share Farmer of the Year. “I’m pregnant with our second child and the baby is due around that time. It would have been a nice opportunity to catch up with some of the awesome people that we met at the nationals last year, but it is what it is!” Proud to be associated with Michael & Shahn Smith AROS CONTRACTING LTD ~Silage Specialists~ call Tony & Janette Carmichael 03 224 6357 or 027 457 2037 Proud to support Michael & Shahn Smith For a friendly, quality service This year has certainly got off to a busy start for Shahn, whose part-time work as a radiographer at Southland Hospital has recently grown in scope too. “I recently accepted a job share as manager of the radiology department and am currently managing 50 people.”
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