20 | nzdairy DAIRY AWARDS » Ann-Kristin Loferski: Cottesbrook Dairy Awards prove a journey of discovery Ann-Kristin is in her third season working at Cottesbrook Dairy, Tapanui, as Herd Manager on a 1400 cow operation. Life doesn’t track a straight course for most, as is the case with dairy farmer Ann-Kristin Loferski. The German-national had decided to study medicine back home, breaking that decision with 15 months working and travelling overseas before getting into the serious business of study on her return. Travelling here with a friend and intent on exploring New Zealand, Ann-Kristin’s first experience working on the land was at a Kumara farm near Dargaville. The connection to becoming a dairy farmer started here as Ann-Kristin explains. “There was a dairy farmer who spent his holiday at the campground we were staying at and we ended up living in the farm house woofing. We had never been near a cow and had a somewhat gentle introduction to a little Ayrshire on the farm.” After six months in Northland the decision was made to travel south and to look for woofing work on a farm. This brought them to a farm near Clydevale. Now Ann-Kristen is in her third season working at Cottesbrook Dairy, Tapanui, as Herd Manager on an impressive 1400 cow operation across two dairy farms owned by Matt Haugh and managed by Henrik de Vries. “I just fell in love with calves and with the split calving and milking all year round, there are always calves to be nurtured.” There is little likelihood that Ann-Kristin will return to Germany now to pursue studies as she has discovered a real affinity with rural life, managing stock and maintaining important records. “Actually when I left Germany my Mum said to me I won’t be back!” And she’s still on a journey progressing within a matter of a few short years to co-managing this coming season. “With the two dairy farms and plenty of young stock on both farms as well as lots of supportblocks there is always something to be done and I just love it here.” Wasting no time either to get involved in the local farming community Ann-Kristin has made lots of friends who meet regularly. Entering the Dairy Industry Awards for the first time last year proved to be a really positive experiSue Russell ence, so much so that Ann-Kristin made the decision to enter again this year in the Southland/Otago Dairy Farm Trainee of the Year category. That decision to re-enter proved fruitful, taking out three merit awards in PracticalSkills, Farming Knowledge and Communication and Industry Involvement. Ann-Kristin was also named Dairy Farm Trainee of the Year. “I think the main thing I realised was that even though I didn’t win anything the first time I entered, I met so many really wonderful, knowledgeable and generous people who have helped me progress. In some ways that’s the most valuable gift entering these awards provides.” Summing it up Ann-Kristin says she’s come to realise that as long as you are open to learning there are a heap of people willing to help anyone progress in the dairy sector. Giving back to the sector is also important. She is the current secretary of the West Otago Young Farmers; a small but lively group of a whole mixed-bag of farmers, all in the formative years of their farming. “That’s the great thing about the group! We’ve • Turn key packages for complete design & build of shed, effluent systems & silage bunkers • Hot-dip galvanised structural steel • Chain effluent scrapers • Full concrete placement • Full range of latex & rubber bedding • Stall dividers • Cow brushes • Kitshed sheds 0800 WINTON (946 866) 53 Great North Road, Winton www.wintonengineering.co.nz 22 Roxburgh Street, Heriot, 2 RD Tapanui Ph/Fax: (03) 204 2029 heriot@xtra.co.nz HARLIWICH CONTRACTING LTD HERIOT SERVICE CENTRE Visit www.progressivelivestock.co.nz for more info Progressive Livestock lives up to its name, delivering progressive solutions for a diverse range of clients PROUD TO BE SUPPORTING COTTESBROOK DAIRY · Livestock Specialist · Buying and Selling · Grazing Contracts · Valuations · Auctions and Clearance Sales · Bull Plan Finance Options · Exporting For all your livestock requirements please contact Burke Patching 027 441 1515 a variety of people in the club and we have a great time together getting off the farm.” As a winner, Ann-Kristin is now also giving back in the form of being on the organising committee for the next dairy industry award event in the region. “I see it as another step forward in my farming career, encouraging new people to get involved.” Plans ahead perhaps are to progress through to contract milking or sharemilking in time. “I’m very happy where I am but am open to opportunities when these present.”
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