38 | nzdairy DAIRY AWARDS » Chihiro Hanyuda: Tulip Rose Farms Chihiro’s journey a true story of achievement Chihiro Hanyuda, Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year. Chihiro with partner Te Maapii (below) and daughter Mirai. Treating the cows with respect has been the cornerstone of 2023 Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year winner Chihiro Hanyuda’s secret to success. It’s also resulted in better animal health and therefore increased productivity for farm owners Peter Overdevest and Tania Akehurst on their 148ha Galatea farm, milking 379 cows. “When we find sick cows we treat them quickly. In the shed we try to stay away from them in terms of physical contact, talk to them to move them rather than touching them. “When I get the cows in from the paddock I wouldn’t round them up from behind but instead I stand at the gate and call them and they walk out at their own pace. We have definitely less lameness. It’s about having respect for the animals and trying to understand them,” says Chihiro. The 27-year-old who originally hails from Japan is a true story of achievement in a short space of time. Although she grew up in a town, Chihiro always liked the rural life and for some reason has always liked cows ever since she was a little child, despite having no contact with them. She came to New Zealand just seven years ago to study for a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Animal Science, minor in Ecology. Her real goal though was to become a dairy farmer. Chihiro was introduced to a dairy farmer who kindly showed her some basic skills so she gained some experience. As soon as she finished her studies she went straight to a job on a 2000 cow farm in Taupo, then a smaller 600-cow unit in the Kaimai Range for 18 months before moving to her present position in Galatea.Chihiro says she was always looking for new opportunities. “Every time I thought I wasn’t learning enough I just moved to a farm where I could learn more. When I applied for this job I thought I wasn’t quite good enough to be a manager but I tried anyway. “I thought, if I don’t put myself in that situation nobody will give me that opportunity so I just had to keep putting myself out there and learning,” says Chihiro, who also credit her partner Te Maapii, who she shares a daughter Mirai (1) with, as encouraging her to take the next steps in her career. Chihiro’s win at the dairy industry awards included three merit awards: DeLaval Livestock Management Award, Fonterra Dairy Management Award and the Whakatane District Council Environmental Sustainability Award. For Chihiro pasture management is a focus and, being on a new farm, she is still learning to get the right balance feeding the cows enough but leaving the right residues. She says the farm owners have been important mentors, assisting her with the step up in her career and to learn the nuances of the farm. Although still early in her career, her sights are set on farm ownership and being a positive force for change in the dairy industry. “I want to fill the gap between farmers and the government. I think farmers find new regulations hard to understand sometimes and of course there are some that blindly disagree. Karen Phelps Locally Owned Locally Operated 0800 304 8940 For all your fertiliser spreading requirements We have GPS controlled variable rate capability and a JCB for wet conditions Broeksrun Ltd C & D van den Broek Agricultural Contractors Cultivation Spraying Silage Bailing Bulk Cartage and more Broeksrun Limited - Galatea 027 2353 721 broeksrun@gmail.com Hayward Contracting Limited - Taneatua 027 478 1605 admin@haywardcontracting.co.nz We need to admit farming does have an effect and think of ways we can farm for the future. There are always ways to learn to improve and do better.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=