50 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Stu’s Moos Dairy trainee leaps into the deep end Randall Johnston Renee Teers has won 3rd place in the Dairy Trainee of the Year Award for the Waikato Region at the 2026 NZ Dairy Industry Awards. Located at Pukeatua, a rural farming community in Waipa District in the Waikato region - about 25 minutes south-east of Te Awamutu; Renee has been thriving in her career so far but says it was still ‘quite a big surprise’ to be named. The operation is busy, 470 cow mixed-breed farm, overseen by share milkers Jacqui and Grant Stewart (her partners parents), who are now onto their 5th season on this farm. A mix of Fleckviehs, Norwegian Reds, Viking Reds, Fresians and Jerseys can all be found on the farm, which is under the ownership of Acacia Farms; Nigel Anderson and Tony Muller. “Last year around March, Jacqui and Grant were looking for a relief-milker,” Renee explains of how the Pukeatua opportunity arose. “My previous job had ended and I was at an inbetween stage, so the timing was really good and (although living in Wanganui previously) it was only 15 minutes up the road from where I was living with my dad at the time.” The role started in July after spending the month prior renovating the on-farm accommodation, which wasn’t quite ready yet. “We got the lounge, the bathroom and laundry all done and then had to start on-farm, so I’ve just kept chipping-away, doing bits and pieces from there.” The dairy platform is 165ha-effective, of steep, mostly rolling to flat land. Milking is twice a day, supplying Fonterra and producing 192,000kg/MS. They have eight paddocks totaling about 21ha in chicory. Operating a system 2/3, maize silage is also grown - not on site - but on Nigel’s sheep and beef property and brought in, in addition to supplemental grass silage. It was Renee’s partner who encouraged her to participate in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards, as it gave him a much better bearing on where he was at in his career and helped him to see what he needed to focus on moving forward. Renee and Sam first met when she applied for the full-time relief-milkers job with his parents, so the move to Pukeatua has shaped her recent life in many ways. Renee Teers has won 3rd place in the Dairy Trainee of the Year Award for the Waikato region. 20 Kensington Street, Putaruru Tel: 07 883 8077 “It was only my first season here but my partner (Sam Stewart) had participated in the awards for the three years previous and actually won the practical award last year, which is pretty cool,” Renee explains. “He was telling me about it; just going through the judging process and everything he learnt from it. I decided to do it; basically to help me figure out what aspects of farming I’m already reasonably good at and what I need to work on. I had only been working on this farm for five months (when I applied in December) but thought I should give it a go.” Renee says she got a lot out of it and is now very glad she did. “The judges said I had very clear goals and had good time management and a willingness to learn and ask questions when unsure. A new full time farm assistant has started recently, as Sam has just started a new position on a dairy farm down in Canterbury, a role that offered him more responsibility on a bigger operation; all great experience to have under his belt. There are a number of people who have helped Renee so far in her career. “I’ve always had a keen interest in farming, as my grandparents were farmers and owned their own farm, before I was born. Jacqui and Grant gave me the chance to begin my farming journey with them and the time they have put into me and the opportunities they have provided for me, including Primary ITO training courses,” she explains. “Also my parents for all they have provided for me and their constant support, they live four hours away but always feel right there when I need them. Especially Sam; he has put the time and energy into teaching me and sharing his knowledge and I’m so lucky to be on this journey individually and especially our journey ahead together.” Renee says she is interested in learning more about genetics, pasture management and animal health, and this recent win has well and truly put the wind in her sails for a long and rewarding career ahead.
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