54 | nzdairy Top manager a fan of constant learning Karen Phelps “It’s also pushed me out of my comfort zone to be leading larger numbers of people. I learn a lot from talking to other entrants and their different approaches on farm as well so it’s made me a better farmer.” Farming sustainably is a focus for 2023 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Southland and Otago Dairy Manager of the Year Nicole Barber who won the National Meridian Environmental Sustainability Award at the competition. Her interest in this aspect of farming was no doubt informed by the fact she grew up on a 60 cow organic farm in Cheshire in northwest England before moving to New Zealand to pursue a career in the industry. While she initially planned to work in New Zealand for a year a job on a dairy farm in Clydevale changed her mind. She then worked on dairy farms across Southland and for the past years as farm manager for Stefan and Holly Roulston at Toropuke Dairies in Park Hill. The farm milks a herd of 800 cows and has a wintering barn that can hold 600 cows plus a smaller barn at the top of the farm that can be used to house the balance of the cows if the weather is really bad. Nicole says recycling is a focus with plastic from baleage heading to Plasbac and containers recycled with Agrecovery. The farm is also in the process of undertaking riparian planting along waterways. Nicole also took home three merit awards for planning and financial management, livestock management and pasture and feed management. Regular farm walks are the backbone of her system “Every week I do a pasture walk and note which paddocks aren’t doing great. Farm manager Nicole Barber (top) with her National Meridian Environmental Sustainability Award. Calves feeding at Toropuke Dairies. DAIRY PEOPLE » Nicole Barber Once they are grazed we mow those paddocks. The poorest paddocks are re-grassed making up around 10% of the farm each year,” explains Nicole. She says the farm has an intensive winter grazing plan demonstrating how each paddock will be grazed and with plans for inclement weather, which is where the barn proves its worth. “The focus is on keeping the cows in good condition and we feed the herd really well,” says Nicole. “The barn really helps as we can feed silage in the barn in bad weather and keep them comfortable in hot weather.” Nicole is a fan of constant learning. She has completed the Primary ITO Level 4 and an artificial insemination technician course. Next in her sights will be the Primary ITO Level 5. “It’s important to keep your brain busy and learn about the business too as well as connect with different people,” she says. The planning and financial management award reflected her focus on personal budgets and goals including to buy a house by 2026 and building equity to own her own herd by 2033. Nicole is the team leader for the 2024 Southland/ Otago Dairy Manager of the Year in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, which has once again proved great for connecting, learning about people and their farms and their approaches. “It’s also pushed me out of my comfort zone to be leading larger numbers of people. I learn a lot from talking to other entrants and their different approaches on farm as well so it’s made me a better farmer.” 21 Springford Street HERIOT EARTHMOVING 2000 LIMITED • Excavators • Trucks • Grader • Roller • Rock Supplies • Root Raking • Gravel Supplies • Dairy Conversions & General Contracting CONTACT: MURRAY YOUNG (0274) 324 298 BLAIR YOUNG (0274) 334 822 OR A.H. (03) 204 2192 22 Roxburgh Street, Heriot, 2 RD Tapanui Ph/Fax: (03) 204 2029 heriot@xtra.co.nz HARLIWICH CONTRACTING LTD HERIOT SERVICE CENTRE
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=