58 | nzdairy New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards » G2 Farms Ltd Open communication has underpinned both the succession on the Andertons’ side and Georgie and Glenn’s move towards ownership. Kim Bowden Waikato share farmers Georgie and Glenn van Heuven wrapped up eight seasons with their farm owners with a runner-up finish for national Share Farmer of the Year at the national dairy industry awards, also taking home the ASB Business Performance Award, the CowManager Experience Award, and the use of a Kioti HX 130–140hp tractor for a year. “For us, it’s been just a really cool way to end that chapter of our lives,” Georgie says. “It’s just a nice reflection of the last eight years and the hard work we’ve done.” That chapter was written on a 103-hectare property at Matamata, sharemilking 405 cows 50/50 with Sid and Dellas Anderton, who are now exiting after 60 years in farming, selling the property to family. Glenn and Georgie arrived newly married. They leave with three children: Harry, 6, Max, who just started school, and Zara, nearly 2. The Andertons, Georgie says, have “seen us grow” over those eight seasons, both as a family and as farmers. Open communication has underpinned both the succession on the Andertons’ side and Georgie and Glenn’s move towards ownership. “We’ve been pretty driven. Farm ownership has been on the cards for us since we’ve gone farming, so sharemilking was always a stepping stone,” Georgie says. “They’ve been really open with us; we’ve been really open with them. There’s never been a surprise element to whatever we’ve done,” Georgie says. Two years of searching with prospective equity partners has now led to the purchase of a 450-cow farm on a road between Cambridge and TIrau in South Waikato. Georgie and Glenn will own 50 percent and shift to the new property in June. The move itself is relatively easy – only half an hour from their current base – so schools and community ties remain the same. On the Andertons’ farm, the couple have been managing a split-calving, high-input system with a lease block. ‘Cool way to end that chapter of our lives’ Georgie says it can “get complicated”, so they have have put a lot of energy into stripping out confusion and tightening up tasks. “We’ve put good processes in place and used Jana Hocken’s lean management to help with that,” Georgie says. Hydraulic Hoses Parts & Batteries Sales Repairs A/C Repairs Servicing Diagnostics Proudly supporting G2 Farms Ltd 07 888 5929 www.tractortech.co.nz admin@tractortech.co.nz Professional Hoof Trimming & Quality Care Products At Happy Hooves, we deliver quality, affordable hoof trimming and lame cow treatments to keep your herd productive, while also supplying the straightforward, top-tier hoof care products we trust and use ourselves. Drop Us A Line At 027 430 1999 www.happyhooves.co.nz jowenlegal.co.nz • 07 214 3243 • admin@jol.co.nz 37 Canada Street, Morrinsville | 6 Hetana Street, Matamata Jacqui Owen Legal Congratulations G2 Farms Ltd. We are proud to support you through your farming journey.
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