22 | nzdairy DAIRY AWARDS » Eyrewell Dairy Migrant’s journey a rich experience The hybrid farm system combines dairying with a bull beef system. Inset: Mahraaz with his dairy management merit award. Kim Newth From welder to award-winning dairy manager, Fiji born Mahraaz Hussein has never looked back since taking up a dairying opportunity in the South Island. Fiji-born Mahraaz Hussein was a qualified welder with a background in graphic design when he came to New Zealand with his family in 2015. Keen for a fresh start here, he took up a dairying opportunity in the South Island soon after arriving and has never looked back. Today, he’s an award-winning dairy manager on Eyrewell Dairy, a Pamu farm in North Canterbury. He recently placed third as 2023 Canterbury/ North Otago Dairy Manager of the Year as well as winning a dairy management merit award. It’s not his first taste of success at the Dairy Industry Awards, having previously won most promising entrant and dairy farm management awards in 2019. Then, in 2021, he came second as Manawatu Dairy Manager of the Year, also picking up an award for personal planning and financial management. “I get a lot out of putting myself out there and getting that positive feedback from the judges which provides further opportunities to improve. You get to meet other farmers and agribusiness leaders with various different viewpoints and tips to share. You always come away with ideas on how to improve.” With a milking area of around 316-hectares, Eyrewell Dairy milks 650-700 cows though a 60bail rotary shed. The hybrid farm system combines efficient dairying with a bull beef system, with the unit employing four full-time staff plus seasonal calf rearers. Mahraaz takes a lot of pride in running a tidy shed with excellent hygiene standards. The shed has automated cup removal, teat spray and drafting systems with MilkHub technology. Mahraaz also has a whiteboard in the shed to ensure staff keep track of key data. “Record keeping is very important to me. Getting the basics right makes a huge difference. Ultimately, what we’re producing is food and it needs to be up to standard and it needs to be a quality product.” Mahraaz has completed Primary ITO Levels 3-5 and is currently studying for the second unit of his diploma in agribusiness. He says this study pathway has been hugely helpful in building his own understanding of dairy farming. In his own team, he encourages staffto explore study options to help with their own progression; his 3IC is currently studying towards Level 3. Eyrewell Dairy welcomes enquiries from those who may be interested in seasonal calf rearing roles. From August, the unit will be rearing around 340 calves, including heifer replacements and bobby calves. “It gives people a foothold into dairy farming and can help people to decide if it’s where they want to make their future. Pamu is a great place to start. They have been one of the best employers I’ve worked with. I’ve been with them for eight years now and have always found them to be very helpfuland supportive.” Another highlight for Mahraaz this year was hosting a group of Nuffield Scholars and Rural Leaders on the farm. “It was a great to have people from different backgrounds and different countries coming in here and being able to explain to them what we do day to day to protect the land and our environment.” IRRIGATE WITH CONFIDENCE - IRRIGATION SYSTEMS - REMOTE MANAGEMENT - PRECISION VRI 0800 PLAINS www.plainsirrigators.co.nz
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