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.”
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