| 57 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Isabella Pannatteire Thornton Park City background no barrier for Isabella Karen Phelps Izzi joined Fonterra as a farm assistant at Thorton Park in Longburn in 2021 and since then she has quickly progressed. Isabella (Izzi) Panettiere has proven that a city background is no barrier to success in the dairy industry, having been named Farm Trainee of the Year for Manawatu last year and now winning the Emerging Talent award at the 2025 Farm Manager of the Year competition. The 26-year-old represents a new generation of dairy professionals who come to the industry with scientific knowledge and a fresh perspective. “I have not been dairy farming very long compared with the other competitors. I’m very passionate about what I do,” says Izzi. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in animal science at Massey University, she joined Fonterra as a farm assistant at Thorton Park in Longburn in 2021. Since then she has quickly progressed up the ranks and now serves as second in charge overseeing 600 cows across 282 hectares. “I needed something to go with my theoretical skills,” says Izzi explain what first attracted her to dairy farming. “I came for the cows but the people are why I stayed. The farming community is awesome. There is a lot of support and knowledge out there.” Since taking on her current role at Thorton Park on 1 June 2024, Izzi has implemented improvements to the operation, which boasts a 50-bail rotary with automatic cup removers and an in-shed feeding system. One of her proudest achievements has been improving the farm’s six-week in-calf rate to 72%, the best result it has ever achieved. She used the ‘Why Wait’ programme to bring cycling cows forward, tightening the calving spread and improving efficiency. “I exclusively did the mating and made sure there was consistency - that is key for good results,” says Izzi. Staff management represents another area where Izzi has shown considerable skill, despite this being her first experience in a supervisory role. “Communication is literally everything. Problems are often the result of misunderstandings,” says Izzi. “I make sure I get consistent feedback from staff – weekly meetings and I also like to have a casual catch up with each staff member once a week. I especially focus on mental health as I consider that is a huge part of life in general and want to make sure everyone is okay and can perform at their best.” Winning the Farm Trainee of the Year award for the Manawatu last year and now the Emerging Talent award have been a significant milestones for this young professional. “It was exciting to benchmark where I’m sitting from people who have been around farming their whole lives. Also the feedback from judges to identify strengths and weaknesses to improve to enter again next year,” says Izzi. Her ambitions extend beyond conventional farming. While her immediate plans involve taking on larger herds and more staff in a farm management capacity, her long-term vision includes eco-tourism. She has been taking the first steps by investing in residential property to help • Round bale services • Ground work • Digger Work • Maize planting • Direct drilling • Roller drilling finance her way to eventually buying a block of land. “I definitely consider eco-tourism as part of the rural industries. I’ve got some ideas of what I want to do and am waiting for the right opportunity.” “I came for the cows but the people are why I stayed. The farming community is awesome.” Winning the Farm Trainee of the Year award for the Manawatu last year and now the Emerging Talent award have been significant milestones for this young professional.
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