NZ Dairy Winter 2021

100 | nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Tumunui Lands Trust: Colin Tremain Focus on people drives changes Karen Phelps A firm focus on people has seen Colin Tremain implement some innovative changes for the benefit of his team on the Tumunui Lands Trust farm at Rotorua where he works as manager for sharemilker Matt Pepper. “This year we’ve moved to cups on at 7-7.30am rather than staff having to get up in the dark. It’s given more work-life balance because one of the challenges of the industry is that if you have to get up really early it does affect your social life,” he says. Colin says he’s always prepared to question how things are traditionally done and find better ways if possible. He believes this could make a huge differ- ence to both attracting people to and keeping them in the dairy industry. Colin, who won Dairy Manager of the Year title at the Central Plateau Dairy Industry Awards in 2018, is himself a high-flyer and representative of the next generation entering the industry. But he’s noticed a huge number of promising young people who have been award winners at the competition drop out of the industry, something he’s keen to see turn around. “Employers have to be worth working for. That’s why I have such a big focus on doing the job as best I can, getting the best out of the team and giv- ing them the best environment to work in,” he says. This has included identifying that relationships are paramount– knowing the people who work on the farm, how they work best and then matching them to the right tasks each day. “For example some staff work better under pres- sure, others are more methodical. Depending on the needs of the farm they will work better or need some more supervision,” says Colin. “It’s about thinking how decisions might impact staff and when changes occur to let them know why a decision has been made so that everyone is on the same page and heading in the right direction.” • to page 101 Feel free to call in, visit our shop and discuss any requirements you have in regards to your dairy shed. with 24/7 Service DeLaval Service and Support milking solutions Ph 07 348 3628 19 White Street, Rotorua www.abcmilkingsolutions.co.nz • Milking Machines • Dairy Consumables • Machine Tests • Davey Supplier • Trenching • DeLaval InService ( Preventative Maintenance ) • McConnel Backing Gates • Water Pumps & Fittings • Effluent Systems • Bore Lifts • Irrigation Services • Reid & Harrison WE ARE MORE THAN JUST MILKING SPECIALISTS P 07 333 8259 M 021 593 163 E mierscontractors@farmside.co.nz 198 Butcher Road, RD2, Reporoa AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS Miers Contractors (1995) Ltd • Harvesting • Cultivation • Supplements for sale & supply • Undersowing (all pastures & crops) • Earth moving • Truck cartage • Balage & Hay • Effluent Management Proud to support Tumunui Lands Trust 16 Miro Street Taupo office@mainlandeng.co.nz • Dairy shed milking plant and water systems • General engineering for the agricultural sector • Feeding systems for herringbone and rotary sheds He says a key to building relationships on farm is to get alongside the team. “It’s about being able to engage with the team at that their level. Their battles are my battles. Rela- tionship building also extends to the wider families of staff. They are an important part of the equation as well.” He estimates 80% of his role is based on relationships with staff, suppliers and contractors. “Employers have to be worth working for. That’s why I have such a big focus on doing the job as best I can, getting the best out of the team and giving them the best environment to work in.” Colin Tremain manages the Tumunui Lands Trust farm at Rotorua. The 982ha farm milks 1700 crossbred cows through two 50 bail rotary sheds Profile your business with the NZ Dairy Publication

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