14 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Timatanga 2022 Ltd Fresh start leads to farming triumph for Lizzy Emma Bailey When her life came crashing down in 2021, Lizzy Wilding took stock and with the help of family and good friends she got back up. She had no choice with two young children and a dairy farm to run she had to hit the ground running. Her steep learning curve has paid off as she was placed third in the Share Farmer category for the Waikato Region at the 2025 NZ Dairy Industry Awards. She owned 45 ha and leased a further 106ha from Tony and Sally Wilding at Okoroire, milking 465 cows. She won $7,462 and the ASB Business Performance Award. Lizzy was born and bred on the family dairy farm in South Waikato. “When I left school I went and worked at a saddlery. Then I moved to Taupo and worked for Ag ITO as a training advisor. “I could see the progression in the industry, students that came through within that 10 years would end up owning their own farms.” It was in Taupo her and her husband went dairy farming. “A year later we moved back home and went 50:50 with my parents with 300 cows. The neighbouring farm came up so we bought that and leased mum and dads.” In 2021 it all fell to pieces when her marriage ended. “It was in the middle of calving, I was devastated.” She had been working full time for Dairy NZ as a consulting officer since 2018 but had give it up to take on farming full time. “I knew the theory but I didn’t know the practical side of running a farm. I was hugely supported by my family and friends and industry players. I was embarrassed it is a pretty small community, I felt like a complete failure as to me family is everything. That first year was sheer hell. It was only because of the support I got that I got through it.” She got stuck in on farm with the help of two staff and had bought out her ex by 2022, aptly naming the farm Timatanga which means fresh start or new beginnings in Te Reo. Then this year in June purchased the family farm from her parents. “I couldn’t do it without mum and dad, they took a pretty big gamble on me which has thankfully paid off.” Now she oversees 140 hectares effective with 490 cows and two staff. Her son Henry (10) and daughter Arabella (8) are also very hands on when they are “flat knackers on the farm”. “You never get it perfect you just keep on refining. Once I took on the practical side I saw huge improvements.” Off the farm she is a keen equestrian and hunts with Waikato and Taupo Hunt. She also very community focused being on the school board and PTA and enjoys judging at local school ag days. She also facilitates events run by SMASH. Lizzy was born and bred on the family dairy farm in South Waikato. The judges noted Lizzy’s excellent communication with her team and said she really shone in her farming practices in relation to environmental impacts and sustainability. 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 Y O U R D A I R Y S P E C I A L I S T S Milking Systems | Machine Testing | Water & Effluent | Farm Consumables Maintenance Engineering | Drafting & Automation | Pool & Spa Care 0275 394 555 for 24/7 Service info@betamilking.co.nz 10 Waharoa Road West, Matamata www.betamilking.co.nz “I knew the theory but I didn’t know the practical side of running a farm. I was hugely supported by my family and friends and industry players. I was embarrassed it is a pretty small community, I felt like a complete failure as to me family is everything.” Lizzy’s son Henry (10) and daughter Arabella (8) are also very hands on when they are busy on the farm.
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