| 55 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Shaun and Kirsty Rose and Brooke Robertson ‘We have a very friendly happy herd’ Karen Phelps Brooke Robertson once vowed she would never be a dairy farmer. Now she’s been placed runner up in the Dairy Trainee of the Year category for the Hawkes Bay region. Brooke has now worked on Shaun and Kirsty Rose’s 300- hectare, 370-cow property at Roselea Farm for just over three years. “We have a very friendly happy herd, I wonder if that’s partially my fault as I love to give them cuddles,” says Brooke with a laugh. “Most of the cows in the herd have names.” Despite growing up on a dairy farm where her father worked she was never interested in a farming career. After taking on a relief milking job on an organic farm in Carterton as a ‘filler’ while she figured out what she wanted to do the lifestyle of dairy farming really caught her attention. “I was pretty lucky really that so early in life I found the thing I’m passionate about and in the area I least expected to!” As Brooke secured full-time employment at Roselea her enthusiasm for farming only grew. “I love animals and I’m a very active person so farming is the perfect job for me.” The scenic location adds to the appeal: “As I’m talking to you right now I’m looking at the beautiful Tararuas capped in snow so it’s a pretty wonderful place to work.” Working alongside her father and brother in the cow shed is another element of Roselea farm that adds to her enjoyment. “It’s a family affair and has been a wonderful blessing. It has given me the opportunity to have an even closer relationship with them and it’s a time of my life I will cherish forever,” she says. Brooke’s entry into the awards came through her level 3 dairy course with Primary ITO after encouragement from her training adviser. “It was definitely out of my comfort zone. I wasn’t really sure of my skills or that I would measure up against everyone else. So it was quite a confidence booster that I placed at all,” admits Brooke. The judges praised her enthusiasm and the experience has proved transformative for Brooke. “I didn’t think of myself as a good enough farmer but it’s showed me I have potential, which has been really positive,” explains Brooke. “I met so many people and it’s a lovely community to be a part of. There is so much support and so much you can get involved in.” The recognition has bolstered her self-belief: “It’s shown me I am progressing, I am getting better and I am capable of being a farmer,” says Brooke. Her daily responsibilities span the full spectrum of farm operations from milking and rearing calves to feeding out to livestock. “I enjoy the variety of tasks. No day is quite the same.” The organic nature of the operation presents unique challenges and rewards, particularly in As Brooke secured full-time employment at Roselea her enthusiasm for farming only grew. machinery operation and resource management. “I’ve loved learning how to use many different types of machinery. Learning how to chainsaw and getting the hang of basic fencing have been challenges. Feed budgeting and management of resources is something I’m learning more about,” says Brooke. The organic approach has been another learning curve and extends to animal health management, where traditional treatments are replaced with alternative methods. The farm also employs preventative measures, with apple cider and garlic added to water troughs as immunity boosters for example. “No penicillin in the cow shed means we have to do things a bit differently re mastitis treatment for 06 379 8146 | office@scottsagcontracting.co.nz | scottsag.co.nz AG CONTRACTING - STOCK FEED TRANSPORT - EARTH MOVING AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTING WAIRARAPA WIDE ORDISH & STEVENS Proudly supporting Shaun and Kirsty Rose and Brooke Robe example,” explains Brooke. “We use homeopathic remedies and have such a good turnaround for cows using the methods we use compared to drugs so it’s definitely the way to go as far as I’m concerned.” Brooke wants to encourage the younger generation to get involved in the industry. “You never know it might just be the right thing for you and when it comes to cows, what’s not to love?”
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