18 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Leah Murray Parent’s farm the perfect training ground Russell Fredric Aged just 23, Leah Murray was caught off guard when told she was the winner of 2025 Dairy Industry Awards Otago/Southland Dairy Farm Manager of the Year award. When she reflected on her presentation following the first round of on-farm judging in March, she felt there were several things she omitted to explain, she says. “I’m quite tough on myself. I found it quite stressful. I was like, oh well I won’t make top five, it was a good experience, and then I got the phone call and I just couldn’t believe it.” Leah also received merits for the Cow Manager Livestock Management and DeLaval Pasture and Feed Management awards. She manages her parent’s Alistair and Hazel Murray’s farm on rolling hill country near Mataura, Southland. It covers a total of 442 hectares effective, comprising the dairy platform, a run-off and winter crop paddocks. It’s 740 F12 crossbred cows, separated into two herds, are milked through a 60 bale rotary shed with a comprehensive suite of technology, plus the cows having ear tags linked to Cow Manager which was installed two years ago. “It worked out as a good option for us. It suited our farming system and we’ve seen great mating results out of it.” In addition to Leah, the farm employs a full-time milker, a calf rearer and an assistant, with Alistair “I am quite young, but it is a good opportunity and I’ve had a couple of Dairy NZ mentors to help me along my journey and also dad as well.” After seeing the awards being promoted, Leah was encouraged to enter by her mentor and her father who saw it as a good opportunity for her to push herself, broaden her knowledge and for personal development. In preparing for the judging, her support team also included Andrew Hazlett, last year’s DIA Otago/ Southland Dairy Farm Manager of the Year. Leah Murray is the winner of 2025 Dairy Industry Awards Otago/Southland Dairy Farm Manager of the Year award. FUJITSU ACCREDITED INSTALLER 85 Bill Richardson Drive, Invercargill, Southland Phone: (03) 214-3136 Domestic & Rural Electrical Commercial Electrical Refrigeration NEW DOMESTIC & RURAL ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS DOMESTIC & RURAL ALTERATIONS & RENOVATIONS RENTAL HOUSEHOLD REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE DIARY SHED & BARN ELECTRICAL WIRING ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE TEST & TAGGING NEW COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS COMMERCIAL ALTERATIONS & RENOVATIONS COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS SMOKE ALARM INSTALLATION & SERVICING ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE TEST & TAGGING INSTALL AND MAINTAIN HEAT PUMPS SUPPLY, INSTALL & MAINTENANCE SERVICES WE PROVIDE: WALK IN FREEZERS, CHILLER ROOMS, BOTTLE CABINETS, RESTAURANT CHILLER UNITS, ICE MACHINES, BEER LINE REFRIGERATION DAIRY/MILK COOLING SYSTEMS & MAINTENANCE Milking Systems & Automation Robotic Milking Systems Cow Barns DeLaval InserviceTM Milk Quality Specialists Dairy Supplies Water Pumps & Filtration Domestic & Commercial Plumbing Drain Laying & Gas Fitting Craig Donaldson PO Box 791, Invercargill, New Zealand 0800 15 30 40 | 03 214 0791 | 027 271 8362 craig@donaldsons.co.nz Pleased to support Leah Murray
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