74 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Rob Little and Georgie Sinclair Loving the dairy life and learning all the way Kim Newth Entering the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards for the first time was a little unnerving for herd manager Georgie Sinclair, who says she didn’t really know what to expect. She’s now been recognised as one of the country’s best young dairy managers, having been named runner-up for 2025 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager of the Year. “I never thought I’d do so well,” says Georgie. “Being named runner-up was a major shock! I wasn’t looking forward to doing presentations and interviews, but this whole experience has been really good for me and given me so much confidence. You meet a lot of new people and learn so much along the way.” Georgie entered the awards while working as herd manager on Rob and Michelle Little’s 165- hectare, 320-cow Atarau farm. She’s grateful for all their support and encouragement. “Rob and Michelle have been really good. Coming here from Canterbury was a big learning curve for me as dairy farming on the West Coast is so very different; this has also been the smallest farm I’ve ever worked on.” Georgie grew up on a rural block near Rangiora, but farming wasn’t her first career choice. She trained in tourism and event management after leaving school. “[But] when I got a job in the events sector, I found I didn’t like it. I had friends telling me how much they enjoyed farming – they said to me, ‘give it a go’.” Following their advice, Georgie started working as a farmhand in Culverden. After a year, she went to an 800-cow farm in Rangitata. “That’s where I really found my passion for working with dairy cows.” There’s been no looking back for Georgie, now five years into her dairying journey. The next step for her this season is to another manager’s position on a 650-cow farm in Cheviot. “It’s a bit closer to home for me.” Rob and Michelle say Georgie came to them at the right time last October when they were struggling to find staff. Both have been impressed by her determination. “We had a wet spring, then hit drought. She had a lot on her plate but rose to the challenge Simon & Debbie Lawn: 027 228 4385 Agricultural Services General Aerial Services Hunting & Fishing 03 732 3668 | office@ahaurahelicopters.co.nz 96 Ahaura-Kopara Road, Ahaura, West Coast and thrived,” says Rob. “Now that she’s moving on, we wish her the best.” Their Atarau farm previously produced another industry highflier, Robyn Mare, who won the 2022 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager of the Year title and was runner-up for 2022 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year. It speaks volumes about Rob and Michelle and their progressive farm culture. Meanwhile, Rob says one of their best investments in recent years has been an Aztech composting barn (128m long x 20m wide). As a farm growing maize, a proper feeding area was needed and the barn also provides cover from wet weather. Used primarily as a wintering barn, it also helps through calving and provides a shady sanctuary at the height of summer. Rob says feed utilisation in the barn is “100 per cent”, so it’s saving on feed while also supporting animal health and protecting pastures - in turn giving confidence to milk through into June. There’s been no looking back for Georgie, now five years into her dairying journey. The next step for her this season is to another manager’s position on a 650-cow farm in Cheviot. Georgie has been recognised as one of the country’s best young dairy managers, having been named runner-up for 2025 West Coast / Top of the South Dairy Manager of the Year.
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