4 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Braebid Farms Past accolades include winning three categories in the 2021 Canterbury North Otago Sharemilker of the Year competition. Looking to take the next step on journey Randall Johnston Canterbury dairy farmers Brigitte and Braden Barnes have won the Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award at the 2025 NZ Dairy Industry Awards (DIA) held in May. The sharemilkers, who hold a 50-50 partnership on a farm with 1150 cows located 20 kilometers south-east of Oxford, have diligently worked and saved to advance their dairy farming enterprise. To say the DIA win was a surprise would be quite an understatement. “We didn’t really have any expectations and were surprised even when we got named in the top six really. We didn’t feel all that confident after meeting with the judges, or after the two days with the other finalists. We thought they were all really impressive people and that we were a bit out of our league. So when they called out name, we were just totally blown away,” Brigitte explains. They received very good feedback from the judges on how they manage their operation, especially on their forward financial planning. They also commented on their humble yet positive attitude and willingness to learn and experiment with different techniques on farm. Their sizable herd, spread across 351ha- effective, is set to reach 548,000 kgMS of milk solids this season, averaging about 475kg per cow. This marks the fourth share-milking season for the Barnes, with one more season left on the contract. The couple has just completed their first full season using Allflex cow collars, which they say has made life a lot easier. Their pasture-based system is supplemented with grain in the shed, canola added in spring, along with silage, with maize brought in during the transitional periods of the season. They are focusing on developing a herd of more compact-framed cows that produce well but have a smaller appetite. The herd, primarily Friesian but being bred into a Kiwi-cross base, is milked twice daily, switching to three times every two days starting in January, and then reducing to once a day as the season wraps up. They manage this all while raising their young children, Heidi, 6, Jock, 4, and Ginny, 2. When they first began, the herd was below the national average for Breeding Worth, but after four • Cattle Crushes • Glue & Blocks • Knives • Knife Sharpeners QualityHoof Trimming for Dairy Cows Top of the line Hoof Care Products: Operating through the Canterbury and North Otago regions 0800 4 26922 Cowcare NZ Limited Alpine Immigration and Recruitment NZ is pleased and proud to work alongside Braebid Farms in regards to meeting their employment needs and congratulate them on their well-deserved award. Need help with your employment needs? Get In Touch. Gerard Hansen Licensed Immigration Adviser 021770132 gerard@alpinenz.co.nz alpineirnz.co.nz Alexanders are proud to support Braebid Farms
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