6 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Cameron Dairy Farms Ltd Smart dairying rewarded with a big win Rosa Watson Ambitious determination and investment in technology has seen Bay of Plenty dairy farmers Andre and Natalie Meier take out top prize at the Dairy Industry Awards for the Bay of Plenty region. Reflecting on winning Share Farmer of the Year, Natalie told NZ Dairy the recognition was affirmation the hard work they were putting into the property and operation. “For us it positively reflects the farm systems and procedures we have implemented on farm and the hard work our staff put in. It is a great motivator for all of us to continue to strive towards our targets and goals and continue to do better every day.” While they didn’t take home an award at the national awards in May, Natalie said it was a great experience meeting other farmers and connecting with industry professionals. “We learnt a lot and can only grow being pushed out of your comfort zone.” Andrew had previously won Manager of the Year at the 2020 Dairy Industry Awards nationals, and this year they decided to enter the share farmer category. “Back in 2020 a big motivator to enter the manager category was for career progression as Andre wanted to move forward in the industry and go contract milking. “This year our motivator in the sharefarmer category was to continue to work on our business, get industry professionals feedback from judging and be in a positive environment and connect with other motivated and passionate farmers.” She said the awards offered personal and career growth, constructive feedback, great prizes, and a standout application for future opportunities. The couple have a 20 per cent equity partnership with Bruce and Gill Cameron and Anna and Rikki James, their sister and brother in-law, over two properties at Otamarakau and Otakiri covering 267ha. The Otamarakau operation has a 350 cow feedpad, 41-aside herring-bone shed, protract, CowManager technology and irrigation. At Grieve Rd there is a 500 cow self-composting herd home, 21-aside double up cow shed, Protract automation, CowManager ear tags and irrigation. It is the second year with once-a-day milking over a full season. “We used to go from twice-a-day to once-a-day around Christmas time but decided to change systems due to our high reproduction results being Andrew had previously won Manager of the Year at the 2020 Dairy Industry Awards nationals. in the high 20s, and after the first year we were back down at industry targets.” Production and animal health is improving, and there has been a great body score condition throughout season. The biggest challenge was the rainy season 22/23 season, Natalie said. Being located in a low-lying valley meant pasture quality was poor. “Our mating that year was well below industry standards and our production very low, it was a hard to pill to follow for us as it was not due to a lack of hard work or passion.” So, the couple did a deep dive into the business and farm systems and received support from local farmers Ann and Will Nettlingham, and industry professionals, and put together a strategy. This included going once-a-day following the Northland Kikuyu Management programme, as suggested by Kim Robinson, implementing Cow Manager which supports the herd nutrition, health and reproduction, and maintaining a low-cost system that could ride out weather events and changes in the milk payout. • Irrigation • Fertigation • Frost Protection • Water levels, usage and Council reporting RICADO is proudly associated with Cameron Dairy Farms Ltd. No stress, you have control. 0800 RICADO 07 575 4601 www.ricado.co.nz info@ricado.co.nz REMOTELY MONITOR AND CONTROL: These changes have paid off well with a drastic improvement in the reproduction results. “The future is exciting.” Natalie grew up on a sheep and beef farm and Andre grew up in rural Te Puna and relief milked for neighbouring dairy farms from a young age. “We both love animals and the outdoors, so farming was definitely on the cards for both of us. “Andre loves the daily challenges it brings - no day is the same, and we both enjoy the lifestyle it has for bringing up our young family.” The couple continue to set goals within the industry, aiming to improve herd genetics and continue to increase their shareholding within Cameron Dairy Farms Ltd.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=