NZ Dairy Spring 2025

Latest awards have cemented Te Puke dairy farmer Niamh Mark’s reputation as a rising star in the industry - Page 17 A star on the rise SPRING 2025 www.waterfordpress.co.nz

2 | nzdairy Contents #nzdairy #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   54 | Top class milkers 68 | Six decades serving the ag industry 77 | Nigel’s career has taken the ultimate pivot 19 | Transformed self-perception and ambitions T&C’s: These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Waterford Press Ltd and its clients. Accounts for advertising are due for payment within seven days of publication of the newspaper. Accounts not paid within this time may incur a penalty until the account is paid. Any debt collection costs incurred by Waterford Press Ltd. will be added to the account of the Client / Debtor. Advertising is charged for on the basis of space taken up using a standard tabloid page. Actual space may be reduced during the printing process but this will affect all advertisers equally so no credit will be given for any reduction in size due to processing. 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| 3 nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Amaka Farms Promising win gives Jordan a boost Richard Loader Jordan Bell loves being a dairy farm manager so much he’s convinced his wife to come and join him. The first time entrant in the New Zealand Dairy Industry awards recently came runner-up in the 2025 Taranaki region, and works on Barry Goble’s 190ha Waitotara property, responsible for 530 cows. Jordan only started in the job in 2021, and worked as an engineer for three years before that, but the 29-year-old just loves his lifestyle out on the West Coast, and the way it works in with his young family. Growing up in Whanganui, it was actually his wife Sidney who got him interested in dairy farming when they first met, as she already had two years experience in the industry. “Before that I hadn’t even milked a cow,” he said. They left Whanganui and worked together on a few farms in Taupo but didn’t have great experiences so moved back to the West Coast, and tried different things. “We have been through a lot of stress in past jobs and we gave it up for eight months because it was too hard, but then I gave it another crack,” he said. Sidney was currently an AGC Training tutor in Whanganui and Jordan found a job on the Amaka Farm working for Barry’s son Ryan, who is the sharemilker. Having a great boss who looked after his animals and staff had been a game changer for Jordan, and now he can’t rate the job highly enough. “There is so many opportunities for me there and to improve on.” Situated halfway between Whanganui and Waverley, life on the coast with their young children was exactly what they needed to thrive, and now their oldest child has started at the local rural school. When Sidney joins him on the farm there will be no more travelling for work 25 minutes away, and the kids are loving the country life as well. “We want to stay here until I stop dairy farming all together,” he said, further adding that wouldn’t be anytime soon. The coastal farm is sits high enough that on a good day they can see the South Island from the property. Jordan loves being busy and staff joke that he’s always running from job to job, to get things done. “It’s a whole new world that’s for sure.” He said his hands on skills from years working as an engineer has enabled him to fix just about anything on the farm. “It’s great - you get to go home for lunch and have breakfast there too.” The Goble family provided them with a new house on the property and Jordan loved how down to earth they were, “the whole family want you to do well.” It was actually his wife Sidney who got him interested in dairy farming when they first met, as she already had two years experience. www.bakertillysr.nz/taranaki Proud to work with the Amaka Farms team Supporting them on their journey to achieve their business goals. www.taranaki-vets.co.nz Proudly supporting Amaka Farms Clinics - Stratford ▪ Manaia ▪ Hawera ▪ Patea ▪ Waverley FARM SOURCE WAVERLEY PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS. nzfarmsource.co.nz Jordan said he could tell the minute he started working on the farm as an assistant, that the job was right for him, and he soon progressed to manager. His bosses’ brother coaxed him into entering the awards after he won the sharemilker of the year for Taranaki last year.

4 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Alpine Rose Ltd Dairy farming a passion for Taranaki farmer The 23-year-old farm assistant didn’t start out working in dairying. Rosa Watson For Hawera dairy farmer Shicaela Kane, the dairy industry offers a place for her to fulfil her passions. The 23-year-old farm assistant didn’t start out working in dairying, but after a few years working in the industry, she says she has found her happy place. This year she took out runner-up in the Dairy Trainee category at this year’s Taranaki regional Dairy Industry Awards, winning $1,500 in prizes. She was placed third in the same category last year. She also received the community and industry involvement merit award. Shicaela, who works for Alpine Rose Ltd that runs 300 cows on a 95ha farm near Hawera, says the recognition meant a lot as a young woman in the industry. “I hope it helps inspire others to put themselves out there and give it a go themselves.” It is also a significant achievement on her dairy farming journey, she says. Her father – also her boss – and her Primary ITO training advisor encouraged her to enter the awards. It involved a series of practical modules to complete on skills day, before a formal interview. “It felt really relaxed and it was great to have some fun challenging like-minded people that are roughly in the same skill level as you are.” She says the skills component was challenging as there were some she hadn’t done before. “But I gave everything a go and got to learn lots of new things.” She says the biggest highlight is in entering the awards was meeting different people involved in the industry and walking away with some new friends, as well as walking away with the award. Shicaela was a hairdresser by trade originally, but when Covid lockdown hit in March 2020, things changed. “It was no longer financially an option for me to continue doing my apprenticeship.” Not to sit around wallowing, she changed tact and secured a full-time job as a veterinary receptionist for Taranaki Vets, and put in charge of large animal admin. “I got to go out on farm with some of the vets - this is what really piqued my interest in the farming field.” No stranger to farming, she had spent my childhood growing up on the farm and following her Dad around everywhere he went. “A job came up on the family farm, so I took the opportunity and haven’t looked back since.” She says her keen interest in animal health and calf rearing keeps her excited to come to work every day. And no day is ever the same. The farm recently hosted a dairying event as a top operating profit per hectare operation on dairy base in Taranaki. “This was such a highlight for me to be able to showcase the great work we are doing on farm and having others see how our system runs. The farm is a system 4 farm where Proliq and Palm Kernel are fed on an out-of-shed feed pad, as well as grass and silage in the paddock. There is also a runoff where the farm rears all its own young stock. “So, it is nice to go there and see how my calves are progressing. Shicaela’s goal is to one day have her own herd. She and her partner recently bought a house www.taranaki-vets.co.nz Proudly supporting Alpine Rose Ltd Clinics - Stratford ▪ Manaia ▪ Hawera ▪ Patea ▪ Waverley FARMSOURCE HAWERA PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS. nzfarmsource.co.nz down the road from the farm on three acres of land, and are raising their own animals there, which Shicaela sees as a stepping stone to the goal of buying a herd. She said her advice to anyone thinking about becoming a dairy farmer is to give it a try. “It’s a great industry to be involved in as the farming community is very strong. “Farmers as well as rural professionals are always willing to help each other out.”

| 5 nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Alpine Rose Ltd Shicaela, who works for Alpine Rose Ltd that runs 300 cows on a 95ha farm near Hawera, says the recognition meant a lot as a young woman in the industry. 06 278 4160 • 027 456 7875 141 Glover Road, Hawera Supporting your rural business Proud to support Alpine Rose Ltd www.tandemgroup.co.nz BACKING BUSINESS. BUILDING AOTEAROA. ASB Bank Limited 56160 29918 0725

6 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Baldrock Farms Ltd Big recognition for young farm manager Karen Phelps At just 24 years old, Aidan Clark has achieved recognition as a finalist in the Northland Dairy Manager category of the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, placing third managing Scott Parker and Anna Mahy’s 90-hectare Kaiwaka farm. Overseeing a 233-cow herd Aidan has rapidly climbed the dairy industry ladder. His journey from West Auckland townie to award-recognised farm manager demonstrates the opportunities available to dedicated young professionals in New Zealand’s primary sector. “I grew up in West Auckland and my family moved to Whangarei when I was ten. They moved next to a dairy farm and I started relief milking at 16 and that was my doorway into the industry,” he explains. After completing school he initially studied for automotive qualification while continuing relief milking work but quickly realised where his passion lay. His progression through the industry saw him advance from farm assistant to second-in-charge, then to full management roles across various Northland properties including Kerikeri and Kaipara Flats. “Working on different farms, ranging from system one to five, taught me quite a bit and I gained experience about how different farms operate. That helped me progress quite fast,” explains Aidan. Currently he has a part-time role with Scott and Anna’s operation while Aidan and partner Danielle Peachey-Stables transition to a 50:50 sharemilking position next year. The couple also run approximately 150 Friesian bulls on Danielle’s grandmother’s beef farm where they grow them from yearlings through to two-year-olds before processing. Aidan also manages another beef operation in Kaiwaka. They will go 50:50 sharemilking next year. Aidan’s decision to enter the awards stemmed from a desire for professional development and learning opportunities. “I thought it would be interesting and a way to learn. It was my first year managing and I thought there was nothing to lose. The feedback was valuable and it was about pushing myself further,” explains Aidan. The awards process highlighted areas for improvement that he had previously overlooked. “It showed me the importance of paperwork and keeping good records. Also areas where I could strengthen myself for example feed supply and demand. Aidan Clark has achieved recognition as a finalist in the Northland Dairy Manager category of the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, placing third. Paperwork is important with regards to this,” says Aidan. “Financial budgeting is another area that I could focus on more. And generally having more evidence of what we were doing, having it all on paper. I’ve gone most of my farming career not wanting to do paperwork and now it’s caught up on me and I see the importance of it.” Preparation for the sharemilking transition is well underway. “I have started buying heifers and have around 25 Jersey heifers that are in milk currently. All the beef will be sold next year to give us a jump start with money to purchase our first herd. We aim to milk 300 cows,” says Aidan. With two daughters - six-year-old Manaia-Lee from a previous relationship and 15-month-old Harper Built with award-winning craftsmanship and powered by efficient Volvo Penta diesel technology, this 10-metre sportfishing cruiser is equally at home chasing gamefish or enjoying weekends away with family. Featuring a spacious, versatile layout, premium finish, and proven sea-keeping ability, the Custom 950 delivers confidence, comfort, and capability in every adventure. The ultimate trailer boat for long range missions. 2020 Dickey Custom 950 $750,000 Interested? Contact John on 027 819 0780 NATURES GOODNESS – to meet your needs and your budget. With our cost effective agricultural lime it will help you balance the books as well as the soil. Balanced soil calcium promotes root and leaf development, increases yield by reducing soil acidity and increasing calcium availability, improves microbial activity and enhances the uptake of other nutrients. Ask for PARKER AGLIME at your local Farmlands store for your next application! Call 09 431 2407 or 0279 353540 or send an email to trevor@parkerlime.co.nz From our quarry to your farm For over 60 years, Parker Lime has been suppling the New Zealand farming community with a variety of products to take farming into the future sustainably. - Aidan acknowledges the ambitious nature of his and Danielle’s plans. “I didn’t think I’d be at this point in my life so early. I feel we are capable of doing it and it’s very exciting. There is only one way to find out and that’s to jump in and do it.”

| 7 nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Elegant Peak Dairies Roshan grateful for every opportunity Randall Johnston Hawera-based Roshan Jayadheera won third place in the Share Farmer of the Year Award for the Taranaki Region at the 2025 NZ Dairy Industry Awards. The first-time entrant and Sri Lankan national has been farming in New Zealand for 11 years now and scored very highly for health and safety; bio-security; financial goal-setting; training and development-engagement and leadership; and people and culture. “Bio-security is clearly your passion. We were impressed by your stock sequestration policies,” judges commented. “You have clear goals and there is evidence of you achieving one of them (purchasing the first home) very quickly which is impressive. It’s good to see a strong team of rural professionals around you. “We commend you on taking on the training opportunities locally to up-skill yourselves and your team.” His first role was as a farm assistant in Invercargill and he has worked his way up the ladder from there, soaking up as much knowledge as possible along the way. He had heard about the Dairy Industry Awards a lot, but had been too busy in previous years to enter. “I’ve learnt a lot more about the whole picture and business of farming since becoming a contract milker, so I felt like the time was right to give it a shot,” Roshan explains. “The competition really helped us to see what our strengths are and what aspects of the operation that potentially need more attention.” Roshan was a bit unsure after the first round of the competition, although he knew all the material - he wasn’t happy with how he communicated it. Thankfully, he really did his homework and came back strong in the second round to give a much more thorough and polished presentation of his farm operation. Previous to this role, he was managing a dairy farm in Canterbury for a number of years. He was looking for a 3-500 cow operation, preferably in another part of New Zealand when he saw his current role advertised. Now on his third season contract milking on an 112ha, 400 Friesian-Jersey cross cow farm that is owned by Wayne Robinson, Roshan is loving the job. “It’s mostly flat with some rolling hills, so that’s makes things more manageable than some other farms that I have worked on,” he explains. They made the transition from Jersey to a Friesian-Jersey cross to increase milk production but not pure Friesian, because the land holds a lot of water and the pasture is easily damaged by large animals. They starts milking once a day in August which allows more time to address animal welfare and other on-farm issues that need addressing. His wife Chamari assists him with relief-milking, calf-rearing and documentation as well as looking after their two daughters Rylie, 8, and Cindy, 4. Both Roshan and Chamari are Agriculture Graduates from University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka and they use that The first-time entrant and Sri Lankan national has been farming in New Zealand for 11 years now. knowledge to take their business to next level. With this award under his belt, Roshan has been encouraged to learn even more and work on the areas of farming that he feels are not his major strengths and become an even more well-rounder operator in 2026 and beyond. Partnering with you to help make business easier. Quality Business Advice – We’re here to help. When it comes to advisory services, business accounting, tax advice, farming and rural accounting you need an accountant that has the experience and skills to ensure not only the best tax outcomes but the best support for your business. We are proud to support Roshan and Chamari. Congratulations on your award! (03) 687 9045 | samh@compassbp.co.nz | www.compassbp.co.nz | PO Box 529, Timaru 7910 48 Railway Street, Eltham 06 764 8196 PROUD TO SUPPORT ELEGANT PEAK DAIRIES

8 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Goldfields A high standard contract milking business This year’s Share Farmer of the Year Third Place winners, Petrus and Mariette de Klerk, runs an efficient and high standard contract milking business in the Waikato region. Taking part in the Dairy Industry Awards within the Central Plateau Region this year, they proudly received three merit awards: Ecolab Total Farm Hygiene, LIC Animal Well-being Recording and Productivity and Honda Farm Safety Health and Biosecurity. “This was our first time entering the NZDIA mainly to see how we could improve our business and the feedback we got was very insightful, but we certainly didn’t expect to win any awards,” Mariette said. This 320ha farm, recently named Ngapuke after the rolling hills, houses 660 milking cows on average and rears roughly 600 calves each season. With a 220 effective hectare milking platform, Petrus and his team produced 281,686 kgMS for the 2024/25 season despite the drought and had received an award for being grade free this season with Miraka. The farm is classed as a system 4 farm feeding a combination of pasture, grass silage, in-shed feeding and winter forage crops (kale and swedes). “I’ve had a great passion for farming since I was little and still enjoy the experimental side farming. I find so much satisfaction in seeing the results of changes made on the milk production. Comparing the inputs (money we spend), to what we get out (money we make) is a driving factor of our success,” Petrus said. The business name, Goldfields Limited, is a reminder for Petrus and Mariette of their home country, South Africa and is named after a 14,000ha dry stock farm they worked on. Now working for Pokuru Pastures Limited, they can’t speak highly enough of their superiors, saying that they had become more like family over the years. The same praise was returned to them by the judges of the NZDIA stating that the dairy shed on Ngapuke was “the cleanest dairy shed they have ever seen.” Petrus and Mariette are also proud to be part of Miraka’s Te Ara Miraka Excellence Programme and to say that they have achieved 5 straight A’s for the past 5 seasons. The judges of NZDIA also pointed out that a strength of their business is the relationship that Petrus and Mariette have. Their unique and different perspectives on business and life makes for a strong combination to achieving success. “My wife is the one who handles the business side of things and I’m the one who simply enjoys farming and milking cows,” said Petrus. “Living in New Zealand provides a better, safer future for our family and allowed our children to The business name, Goldfields Limited, is a reminder for Petrus and Mariette of their home country, South Africa. Need support on yours? Give us a call for a free consultation on howwe could help you. 44 Te Heuheu Street Taupo | 07 376 1700 info@strettons.co.nz | facebook.com/strettons Proud to be supporting Petrus and Mariette on their farming journey. PROVIDING THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR OUR CUSTOMERS COOLING, HEATING & PERISHABLE GOODS REQUIREMENTS create their own paths in life. Currently our son is an apprentice joiner in Taupo, and our daughter is studying for a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science,” said Mariette.” As if that isn’t enough to be grateful for, we’ve also managed to buy our first home in New Zealand,” said Petrus.

| 9 nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Goldfields The farm is classed as a system 4 farm feeding a combination of pasture, grass silage, in-shed feeding and winter forage crops. 2 Satco Drive, Tokoroa PH. (07) 886 6413 TOTAL ANIMAL CARE FOR THE SOUTH WAIKATO 75 Tirau Street, Putaruru PH. (07) 883 3018 109 State Highway 30, Whakamaru PH. (07) 882 8685 FARM ANIMAL SERVICES • SMALL ANIMAL SERVICES • DAIRY RESOURCES Mainland Engineering proudly supports Goldfields

10 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Lanseair Ltd Multi-generational business is recognised Alexia Johnston A passion for animals, the land and farming has helped Benjamin and Renee Howard earn Runner-up Share Farmer honours for the Bay of Plenty at the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. The couple, alongside their young family, farm 240 mixed-breed cows on the Howard family property, called Lanseair, in Awakeri, near Whakatane. Benjamin and Renee are 9% equity partners in the multi-generational business. They balance full-time farm responsibilities with raising two young children, Hailee (4) and Vaughan (19 months), supported by Benjamin’s parents, John and Leanne, who also assist with farming operations during peak times. Benjamin and Renee are pleased with their latest achievement. “Coming runner up was a bittersweet moment, we were immensely honoured and proud to have come second against such high calibre farmers, but we would be lying if we said we weren’t disappointed we didn’t take it out,” they said. “However, unless we reach our farm ownership goal in the next year, it has given us the motivation to enter again and continue to grow.” They both studied Agri-science at Massey University, where they met. Renee grew up around farming before her family left the industry during her high school years, while Benjamin returned to the family farm after working as a dairy service technician and on-farm under Renee’s management. “Both of us are really passionate about animals, pasture and our land and the farming lifestyle is a great experience for raising kids, even if we do make them come to work with us every day of the year.” The pair credit their success to continual learning, strong on-farm systems, and a long-term focus on sustainability and efficiency. They recently invested in their own contracting gear to better manage summer pasture quality and produce supplementary feed. Benjamin and Renee have found value in managing their paspalum carefully. ƂŜƞĈŉƼ΄ƊƞſſŜƂƖijœħ΄ ĎœŃåőijœ΄π΄ĎœĎĎ΄IŜƶåƂĈ Whakatane 2 Mill Road, Coastlands 0800 77 88 99 Dan Benjamin 021 599 087 Peter Rust 027 634 3622 Proudly Supporting Lanseair Ltd - All Transport Options available - Dairy Pellets The couple, alongside their young family, farm 240 mixed-breed cows on the Howard family property, called Lanseair, in Awakeri, near Whakatane.

| 11 nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Lanseair Ltd Hailee (4) and Vaughan (19 months). Benjamin and Renee are 9% equity partners in the multi-generational business. PH: 027 463 5916 | 899 Matata Road, Edgecumbe | ABSOLUTE DAIRY & WATER LTD • MILKING MACHINES • EFFLUENT SYSTEMS • WATER TREATMENT • WATER PUMPS & RETICULATION • POOL & SPA • NZMPTA ISO REGISTERED MILKING MACHINE TESTERS • 24 HOUR CALL OUT SERVICE PROUD TO SUPPORT LANSEAIR LTD BayVets Clinic Phone: 07 304 9184 40 Bridge Street, Edgecumbe. Proud to be associated with Lanseair Ltd Howard family By doing light crops of baleage when growth surges, they not only improve pasture quality and feed reserves but create an extra income stream from surplus bales. Their homegrown feed focus, tailored mineral programme, and attention to cow condition and fertility have improved production and animal health. They agree that entering the awards was a way to reflect on their business and set clear goals. It gave them a chance to sit down and ask themselves why they do what they do - and how they could do it better, they said. The feedback from the judges and rural professionals was also invaluable, and the opportunity to meet other like-minded farmers was something they appreciated. Judges responded strongly to the Howards’ family-focused approach and clear vision for the future. Looking ahead, the couple hope to transition into full ownership, grow production to 100,000kgMS using mainly pasture, and explore infrastructure improvements like a composting barn - all while maintaining the family dynamic that makes their farm thrive. Their message to other young farmers who are considering entering awards in the future is simple. “Please give it a go. “The benefits you get from entering, even if you don’t place, is well worth it. From the self reflection as you prepare your presentation to the feedback that you get from the judges. This all helps to build up your farming business and careers.”

12 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » R and T Pastoral Ltd Hard work and a commitment to learning Kelly Deeks Runner-up in the 2025 Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Manager of the Year category, Owen Clifford is proof that hard work, adaptation, and a commitment to learning can take you far in the New Zealand dairy industry, whether you’re born into it or marry into it. Owen manages a 500-cow herd on a 200ha property at Waerenga, owned by Ross and Tracey Laing. He works alongside his wife Sarah, whose parents own the farm, and the couple have been living and working there since January 2022. Prior to that, Owen was an agricultural contractor, originally visiting New Zealand from England on a six-month trip that turned into a life-changing opportunity. “Covid actually turned out to be a good thing for me,” he says. “I came for agricultural contracting and got stuck here during lockdown, picked up some spring calving work then met Sarah. Things just snowballed from there.” Owen’s passion for dairy farming quickly took hold, and he found himself learning and progressing every season. Entering the Dairy Industry Awards has been a big part of that journey. “This was our third time entering,” he says. “The first year we didn’t get to the finals, but we learned so much. Each year we improved, and now to place runner-up really validates all the effort.” He says the competition also fosters great camaraderie among entrants. “Steven Pratt, who won this year, and I have both entered for the past three years and this year we were each other’s biggest competition. Speaking to the judges afterward, they said it was nearly impossible to separate us by even one point.” Owen won $3090 in prizes and also took home two merit awards. But for him, the biggest reward is how the competition pushes participants to sharpen their skills and see themselves as future leaders in the industry. “It’s an amazing career builder, especially for someone like me who’s come into farming through marriage. You meet great people, get recognition, and it opens doors, whether that’s a management role, sharemilking, or even farm ownership.” On-farm, Owen is proud of recent improvements, particularly around pasture management for this winter-milking herd. “We’ve changed our grass varieties over the past three years, moving to a later-heading tetraploid. That’s really helped our late lactation production.” The previous grass varieties would go to seed too early, compromising summer milk production. Now, the couple is seeing higher milk volumes later into the season and have better-quality feed on hand. “It’s been a game-changer for us,” he says. “Efficiency and timing are everything in dairy. We’re focused on keeping the system simple and effective with no unnecessary complications.” Looking ahead, the Laings are considering leasing the farm, which could present opportunities for Owen and Sarah to buy into stock Family pic (from left) Sarah, her Mum Tracey and Dad Ross (farm owners). Ross holding James and Owen Clifford. and potentially step into a lower-order sharemilking arrangement or partnership. “It’s all pretty open-ended at the moment,” Owen says. “But we’re having those conversations.” The couple has also recently experienced another major life change, with their first baby arriving in July. “It’s pretty special to think about continuing the family farming tradition. We’re in a great place to build something for the future.” With a solid career path, recognition for his skills, and family life underway, Owen is proving that success in dairying isn’t about where you start, but where you’re willing to go. Peter Ellmers Farm & Electrical LTD Over 30 years experience in all your Electrical, Milking Machinery & Water Pump needs. Proudly Supporting R and T Pastoral Ltd Address: 760 Waikare Rd, Te Kauwhata Waikato, 3781 Ph: (07) 826 3135 Mob: (027) 494 3942 E: cowpower@xtra.co.nz Proud partner of R and T Pastoral Ltd

| 13 nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Kaitiaki Whenua Farming Ltd / Milk Makn Ltd Levi impresses Nice nod for Adam Russell Fredric Russell Fredric Levi Wesford was just 19 years old when he was named runner-up in the Waikato New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Dairy Trainee category in March. The second-in-charge on Matthew (Matt) Weatherhead’s 100 hectare, 220 cow farm in Te Miro, Waikato, Levi won $3,976 in prizes in addition to receiving the Trinity Lands Ltd Farming Knowledge merit award. “This is my second season as 2IC and I was farm assistant for two years before that,” Levi says. Levi’s pathway in the industry started with relief milking while he was at high school, looking for an escape route as he did not want to pursue an academic career. Matt runs a sheep milking operation alongside the cow farm. “Matt needed a staff member so it just worked out that I’d transition from relief milking to being the farm assistant.” Levi is studying towards a Primary ITO New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture – Dairy Farming level 4 qualification. “I think we talked about the awards at one of my Primary ITO courses and I thought I’d give it a crack because I thought I’d do fairly well.” The awards process included a practical day which included set tasks from which the top six entrants went through to an interview. “Along with that came a whole lot of theory questions about different aspects of farming. We did some feed allocation, identifying some different diseases and were asked about what our future plan was in the industry and how we are Being named as this year’s Dairy Trainee runner-up in the Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards has been a big boost Adam Manners’ confidence. The accolade came as quite a surprise, Adam says. “I didn’t expect to get anything. I was pretty happy that I did it. I’ve been trying my best to learn lots of different skills, not just how to milk, it’s all the stuff outside of it.” “It’s quite cool to have that recognition, that I actually have learnt some skills and to be at that level.” The 19-year-old works as farm assistant on Janelle Nee and Mel McEntyre’s 64ha, 154-cow property, Kaitiaki Whenua Farming, just outside of Tauranga. A first-time entrant in the awards, Adam has worked full-time on the farm for a year and is excited about his future in the industry. He entered the awards on the prompting of Janelle and Mel “to try and get me out there bit more and involved outside of work and to meet new people my age,” Adam says. “They thought it was a good chance to get me out of my comfort zone.” He recently joined Te Puke Young Farmers and this along with going through the awards process has been good for networking, he says. Since June he has been studying towards Level 3 Primary ITO qualifications and hopes to progress to farm management and eventually ownership. Adam has a family background in agriculture, with two uncles and a grandparent being farmers. His mother grew up on a farm his grandparents and one of his uncles owned; Adam was often on the farm during weekends and really enjoyed his time there. At high school during his year 12 and 13 he knew his career path would not involve going to university and after speaking to a career advisor he got a position with Kaitiaki Whenua Farming, initially working two days a week while still at school. “After I finished school they offered me a job and I’ve been there since and have really enjoyed it.” Adam admits to initially being quite nervous when he started, but credits Mel with being a good mentor who helped him grow his confidence as he learned the ropes. “I had chances to make mistakes, but learn from them in a good way.” The farm has a 20 a side herringbone shed and is on rolling contour. The cows are milked twice-a-day and go to once-a-day just before Christmas to preserve grass as well as to lessen the workload. Adam sees a lot of advantages in working on a small farm because his is exposed to more aspects of it operation than some dairy workers he knows who are mostly focused on “cups on, cups off” milking. “There’s animal health and everything around the farm including management of feed and other things like fencing.” Adam’s roster is based on seven days on and two days off. While he loves his work, he is conscious of the need to manage his downtime and Janelle and Mel encourage him to have time off the farm which includes pursuing his interest in cricket and hockey. going to achieve that, whether it be financially or different pathways that we thought would be effective to get there.” The award recognition was particularly rewarding for Levi as he does not come from a farming background, so it has been a steep learning curve to get to where he is. His big goal is farm ownership and in the next season or two he is planning to take on either a management role or become a contract milker for a few seasons. “I really enjoy being able to solve problems and think on my feet and also really like knowing everything is for a purpose, whether feeding out or fertiliser spreading; it all actually has a real impact and typically you can see the result, whether it be in milks solids or the condition of cows. I find that really satisfying.” Matt and Levi have been focused on creating efficiencies which included being a very early adopter of the Halter system in 2021, achieving genetic gain and improving fencing and laneways. They also ensure the 30 a-side herring bone milking shed which has automatic cup removers and in-shed feed is running well and is well maintained. Milking, including the wash-up, typically takes about two hours. Last season’s total production of 93,000kgMS to Fonterra was a little lower than planned because some milk was taken out for the dairy lambs as it was cheaper than buying milk power before the past season’s payout increased. This season’s budget is for 98,000kgMS which with the current payout, allows for some extra supplementary feed into the system 3 to 4 operation if needed. Proud to support Kaitiaki Whenua Farming Ltd swede@taurangalivestockltd.co.nz • Round hay and silage services • Direct drilling • Feed supplement CALL US TODAY! 027 498 8138 Servicing Bay of Plenty Proudly supporting Kaitiaki Whenua Farming Ltd Proudly Supporting Milk Makn Ltd FOR ALL YOUR AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING REQUIREMENTS Te Awamutu *ÕÌňÀÕÀÕ İÌÀ>}>

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