NZ Dairy Winter 2021

40 | nz dairy DAIRY AWARDS » Mark Rivers Central Plateau Dairy Manager of the Year winner Mark Rivers at Brent and Karen Sterritt’s 400-cow Atiamuri property. Awards win a confidence booster Karen Phelps W inning the 2021 Central Plateau Dairy Manager of the Year competition was confirmation for Mark Rivers that he is heading in the right direction. “The fact it gave me confidence was the biggest thing. That even after a long spell away from farm- ing I know what I’m doing,” he says. Mark grew up on a dairy farm and helped out from a young age. After attending Taratahi Agricul- tural Training Centre in 2000 he began working on a 300-cow farm, which ballooned to 500-cows the next season. He then left the dairy industry and did his OE that saw him work in the tourism industry as a Contiki bus driver in Europe and New Zealand. It was in 2016 he made a return to farming as second in charge on a young stock block before taking on a manager position on Brett and Karen Sterritt’s 98ha 400-cow Atiamuri property where he has completed three seasons. Mark also picked up the Vetora BOP Employee Engagement Award and the I.S Dam Lining Ltd Feed Management Award at the competition. He says he always aims to create a team atmosphere where everyone takes responsibility and can learn from each other. He likes to pass on his own knowledge as well as learn from others, in particular Brett Ster- ritt who he considers a mentor. “He’s a highly skilled operator and has a wealth of knowledge so it was great to benefit from that,” says Mark. “I also of course learned tons of skills from my father and grandfather, both of whom were dairy farmers.” In terms of feed management, another area in which Mark excels, he ensures the basics are done well including carefully monitoring inputs and mini- mising wastage, something that was made easier thanks to the herd home on the Sterritt’s farm. This also allowed the farm to house cows overnight during the winter months and limit damage to pas- tures. Calving is also completed in the herd home making life easier for animals and staff alike. “The fact it gave me confidence was the biggest thing. That even after a long spell away from farming I know what I’m doing.” • to page 42