| 35 nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » White Horizons Reece says he and Tash would encourage any farmer wanting to progress their farming business to consider entering. Reece and Tash secure ‘First Farm Award’ Sue Russell This year, Reece & Tash Cox, sharemilkers at Whakamaru, were one of three recipients to receive an inaugural Fonterra and ASB ‘First Farm Award’, as this year’s National NZ Dairy Industry Awards, announced on 10 May at Baypark in Tauranga. The award gives the couple $1millions at 1% interest when they purchase their first farm; a goal they have set to achieve in the next 24 months. The farm straddles 270ha and is home to their herd of 700 cows. Achieving ownership of the whole herd has been their vehicle to build equity each year to be in a position to buy a farm soon, a strategy the judges recognised as having been carefully thought through. “We had to submit a pretty big proposal to be considered for the award and didn’t have a lot of time to complete it in. We had to show cashflow for the past three years verses actuals, plus the current year and projections for the next couple of years so it was very thorough,” says Reece. Tash carries a degree in marketing and design, so was able to grapple the information into a professionally presented record of the journey to date, the strategies set down, the goals so far achieved along with future goals they’re working towards. All this impressed the judges. “Tash has a very good understanding of the farm and how we’re building our business toward farm ownership. She bought all the important information together really well,” says Reece. Along with submitting information about their farming, Tash and Reece also had an interview and 15 minute presentation before judges. A 10-page booklet Tash had prepared, summarised succinctly where their business White Horizons had come from and what had been achieved. “We also did a very light-hearted video of life on the farm, using drone footage showing our staff at their daily tasks and giving the judges a good picture of what we’re about. We only saw the competition advertised early March and had the submission completed by the end of the month so it was a busy time.” Asked whether they would like to buy in the same area Reece says ideally they would. The intention is to put a farm manager on to the new farm, while Reece and Tash continue to nurture their current sharemilking contract. Along with the main prize money from ASB, the couple also received a Fonterra launch pack of $20,000 of Farm South account credit. The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, and Trelleborg, along with industry partners DairyNZ and MediaWorks. A benefit of entering the award, Reece says, was the time spent networking with the other entrants. Also receiving the award were Braden and Brigitte Barnes from Canterbury/North Otago and Cameron and Margaret Bierre from Waikato. When NZ Dairy spoke with Reece mid May, the herd had just dried off. After a fairly long summer Reece says the rain has come just in time to build a feed wedge before winter. “We ended up 4% down on the previous season, however given the dry period carried on longer than usual we’re overall pleased with what has been achieved.” Reece says he and Tash would encourage any farmer wanting to progress their farming business to consider entering the NZ Dairy Industry Awards. “They’re experiences we’ve thoroughly enjoyed and got a lot from.” “We also did a very light-hearted video of life on the farm, using drone footage showing our staff at their daily tasks and giving the judges a good picture of what we’re about. Need support on yours? Give us a call for a free consultation on howwe could help you. 44 Te Heuheu Street Taupo | 07 376 1700 info@strettons.co.nz | facebook.com/strettons Proud to be supporting Reece and Natasha on their farming journey. NZ Farmers Livestock proudly supporting White Horizons Limited achieve their farm ownership goals. Working with Farmers for Farmers Michael Conwell Your Local Agent 027 226 1611 michael.conwell@nzfll.co.nz 2 Satco Drive, Tokoroa PH. (07) 886 6413 TOTAL ANIMAL CARE FOR THE SOUTH WAIKATO 75 Tirau Street, Putaruru PH. (07) 883 3018 109 State Highway 30, Whakamaru PH. (07) 882 8685 FARM ANIMAL SERVICES • SMALL ANIMAL SERVICES • DAIRY RESOURCES Te Awamutu 2WVÞTWTW ĤVQTQJCPIC
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