36 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Wilfred and Pieter Van Beek Pieter Van Beek has fast-tracked his goal Kim Bowden Wairarapa farm assistant Pieter van Beek has a big ambition – to own a farm by the time he’s 40 – and he reckons taking out the top spot for young farm workers at the national dairy awards in May has fast-tracked his goal. The 18-year-old was named New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year at the 2025 Dairy Industry Awards in May, recognised for his role working for mum and dad Wilfred and Rachel van Beek, who share milk a 330-cow farm, with a 120-hectare diary platform, owned by Jane and James Smallwood. After leaving school at 16 knowing exactly where he wanted to be, Pieter has now spent two seasons working on the farm at Greytown as the full-timer in the “one-and-a-half labour units” his parents employ. But he isn’t settling in – Pieter’s plan is to move on to a farm management role by the season after next. From there, he hopes, a step into share- milking. “I just want to work my way up the ladder to farm ownership, and winning this award has created a massive opportunity for me to get there even quicker and more smoothly than I had originally planned.” The award has helped Pieter get his name out there, he says, and opened up valuable networking opportunities in what he sees as a “progression industry”. Pieter Van Beek. After leaving school at 16 knowing exactly where he wanted to be, Pieter has now spent two seasons working on the farm at Greytown. Leanne Southey BBS, FCA Becks Scho�ield BBS, FCA Contact us for a no obligation chat about how we canhelp you today. www.sosa.co.nz E: ca@sosa.co.nz P: 06 3700811 Masterton 5810 110 Dixon Street We can assist you with all your accounting,tax and business needs Proud to support Wilfred and Pieter Van Beek Contact Shane P: 06 379 5504 • M: 027 453 3505 E: grayscontractingltd@yahoo.co.nz - Large reduction in artificial fertiliser requirements - Eliminate effluent separating equipment - Minimise laneway & paddock damage - High flow rate for fast & efficient effluent discharge - Up to 200 cubic metres shifted per hour - Highly cost effective for emptying large ponds - Significantly less nitrogen loss to the atmosphere ALL AGRICULTURAL SERVICES AVAILABLE SOLVE EFFLUENT COMPLIANCE ISSUES
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