10 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Edwards Dairies Sharemilking couple winning in 2025 Bernadette Cooney The motivated young couple behind Edwards Dairies, have been named the 2025 AucklandHauraki Share Farmers of the Year at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. Brad and Courtney Edwards not only took home the region’s top title but also swept up six merit awards. The sharemilking couple were runners-up in the same category last year, where they clinched the Federated Farmers Leadership Award and the Diprose Miller Business Performance Award. “Winning this year is a reflection of how much we’ve grown not just in how we farm, but how we run our business,” says Courtney. “Last year we learned a lot, especially through benchmarking with Dairybase. This year, we really focused on being evidence based and showing what we do and why,” she says. That evidence-based approach helped them shine across categories. In addition to being crowned Share Farmers of the Year the Edwards also received the LIC Animal Wellbeing, Recording and Productivity Award, the Diprose Miller Environmental Sustainability Award, the Trelleborg Sustainable Pasture Award, and the Honda Farm Safety, Health & Biosecurity Award. Farming 240 Friesian-cross cows on a 90- hectare 50/50 sharemilking farm in Ngatea, the couple are raising their two young sons, Arthur and Grayson, while managing a high-performing and future-focused dairy operation. As Certified Milk Suppliers under Synlait’s Lead With Pride programme, Brad and Courtney are committed to best-practice farming. “It’s about more than ticking boxes. We take pride in knowing our farming is transparent from its animal welfare and health to its greenhouse gas emissions, our milk quality, our financials and social responsibilities, it’s all there.” “You think you know your business until you pull it all apart,” says Courtney. “These awards help you think strategically, and I’d 100% recommend it to any sharemilkers across the country.” Their on-farm systems reflect that commitment. They track young stock weights, conduct monthly health checks, and complete feed budgeting and blood testing to monitor animal performance. Their milk production figures are healthy too, with Edwards Dairies only 1000 milk solids off beating their own previous best, set in their second season. “So close, but we didn’t quite break our own record this season before they had dried off, but it’s still been really good,” she says. Their genetic strategy also reflects their forward-thinking approach. The herd is primarily Friesian-cross, trending toward pure Friesian for better production. This season , Edwards Dairies began participating in a sire proving scheme with LIC. “We run a 10-week artificial breeding programme right through. We don’t put Jersey bulls to tail over or anything like that. Brad and Courtney Edwards at the awards (middle). We just AI the whole time to produce as many replacements as possible and support long term herd improvement.” Brad and Courtney both come from farming backgrounds and are clear about their ambition to own their own farm by their 30’s. “We’re nearly in our mid 20’s and we love farm life, its challenges and its rewards and we couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” says Courtney. The Edwards still find time for community involvement despite the demands of dairying, including Hauraki Young Farmers and local hockey leagues. “You think you know your business until you pull it all apart. These awards help you think strategically, and I’d 100% recommend it to any sharemilkers across the country.” HAURAKI PLAINS MOTORS LTD For all new and used farm machinery 1 Pipiroa Road, NGATEA - Ph. 07 867 7021 e: admin@hpmotors.co.nz www.haurakiplainsmotors.co.nz Miles Shelley 027 227 1121 Michael Duffin 027 440 4681 bluffherefords.co.nz 39 Williams Road, Glenbrook, Auckland 2681 | Phil - 021 178 3053 Kirstine - 021 178 3863 | hello@bluffherefords.co.nz Get In Touch 2025 Annual Yearling Bull Sale to be held on farm 39 Williams Road, Glenbrook, Auckland We had the most incredible day at our 2024 sale and the 2025 is set to be even bigger and better. See you there! Refreshments to follow 5th September, 2025 @ 1.00pm
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