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.”
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