40 | nzdairy DAIRY AWARDS » Jay Arifin: Wairarapa Moana Incorporation First time entrant ‘deeply honoured’ to Jay has progressed with good support from his employer Wairarapa Moana Incorporation (WMI). After working in the New Zealand Dairy Industry for fifteen years, Jay Arifin felt the time was right to enter the 2023 Central Plateau Dairy Industry Awards, and benchmark himself against others in the industry; never expecting to take home the Dairy Manager of the Year award. “This was the first time that I had entered the industry awards,” says Jay. “So entering the awards was a new experience for me, and provided a great opportunity to benchmark myself against the other entrants. “Winning the Dairy Manager of the Year Award was unbelievable, really. I never thought I would be a winner. There was a very tough pool of entrants, and I was just the lucky one. Winning the Award means a lot to me, and I’m deeply honoured to receive it.” Jay also took home the Livestock Management Merit Award, the Dairy Management Merit Award, and the Personal Planning & Financial Management Merit Award. But the bounty of awards were not the only take home honours for Jay. Connecting with other likeminded entrants and the judges enabled him to share his own farming experiences and learn from others about the diversity of farming systems in the region. “Going through the awards process and talking to the judges and other entrants also helped me to better understand the importance of our riparian planting and keeping the farm sustainable for future generations. “Dairy farming is not just about milking cows, we have to think about what we are bringing to the industry to keep it sustainable into the future.” While Jay was unsuccessful at the recently held National New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, he was able to expand his network even further by meeting farmers from throughout New Zealand. Hailing from Indonesia, Jay spent five years working in the dairy industry there before deciding to pursue his career in New Zealand, but says the farming experience was very different in his home country. “I looked after small number of cows that stay in the barn with the feed/grass harvested and brought to the cows. Richard Loader “In 2008 some agents from New Zealand came to Indonesia looking for dairy farmers. There were over one hundred and fifty candidates interviewed and five of us were selected. “I came to New Zealand because I wanted to get a better opportunity to progress my career and learn new farming systems. I started working for my employer Wairarapa Moana Incorporation (WMI) and over the fifteen years that I’ve worked for them I’ve progressed with good support from my employer.” Starting as Assistant Herd Manager, Jay has progressed through the career path on WMI’s various Central Plateau farms, accepting the role of Farm Manager in 2014. Jay’s current farm is in Mangakino, South of Waikato, and encompasses 289 hectares effective, which is 90% flat, 10% rolling and 60% irrigated. As farm manager, Jay is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the farm, including financial performance, and developing and implementing the farm plan to ensure the success and optimisation of farm performance. “Farming is my passion,” says Jay. “Looking after big numbers of stock gives me a challenge and I’m proud of it, considering my farming background. I love seeing my cows happy. “At the end of the season if I can see a good result I’m really happy with the outcome of my efforts. I have four staff; two Indonesians and two Kiwis. “I love watching my staff grow and step up to the next role. I grow people actually.” Thankful for the development and opportunities that WMI has provided to him over the years, Jay says his next goal is to become a contract milker or step up to the next role within WMI. Blue Grass enjoys working with Wairarapa Moana Incorporation Excellence in Agriculture Brook 027 471 9765 | www.bluegrasscontracting.co.nz • Pressure Pumps • Trenching • Pool Products • Water Filtration • Effluent Systems • Water Blasters • Bore Lifts 07 886 0271 15 Campbell St, Tokoroa 3420 www.swws.co.nz DESIGN • SUPPLY • INSTALL Our Business is Pumping SouthWaikato Water Solutions Ltd 16 Miro Street Taupo office@mainlandeng.co.nz • Dairy shed milking plant and water systems Mainland Engineering is happy to support Wairarapa Moana Farms for all their farm needs with our 24hr service. • General engineering for the agricultural sector • Feeding systems for herringbone & rotary sheds
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