| 77 nzdairy New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards » B&T Hopson Partnership / Fonterra’s Longburn Farms Ltd Russell Fredric Karen Phelps A strong understanding of animal health, calving and mating management saw Wil Wilkie take out the 2026 Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Trainee of the Year title at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. Wil works as a farm assistant for Brendan and Tessa Hopson, 2020 Auckland/Hauraki Share Farmers of the Year. The Hopson’s continue to sharemilk and peak milk 600 cows on 200 hectares near Paeroa. The dairy unit comprises a 50-bale rotary shed with automatic cup removers, automatic teat spray and Protrack automatic drafting, with cows wearing Allflex collars. Winning the award was “a bit surreal”, Wil says. “You put your name forward and hope you’ve done enough, but you never really know how you stack up until the judging.” “It gives you a bit of confidence that you’re on the right track. There’s still plenty to learn, but it’s a good step forward.” Wil is grateful for the support received from Brendan and Tessa, who encouraged entry into the awards and assisted with preparation. “They were very supportive, helping me prepare for my video, answering questions I had and checking if I needed anything.” The award judges said Wil “confidently articulated a strong understanding of general farming practices and principles,” with strengths across animal health and seasonal management. This included explaining decisions around calving preparation, mating performance and maintaining herd condition through changing feed supply. Preparation involved outlining key processes and ensuring each decision could be clearly explained, including how technology supports those decisions on-farm. “A lot of it was just going over what we do every day and making sure I understood it properly. Not just doing the job, but being able to explain why we do it that way.” Judging also included an on-farm assessment across a range of scenarios, from animal treatments through to feed allocation and pasture management. Jack Foster says he was pleasantly surprised to be named the 2026 Manawatu Dairy Trainee of the Year, taking home $5,850 in prizes along with two merit awards: DairyNZ Practical Skills Award and the Guthrie Agwork Ltd Communication & Industry Involvement. The 24-year-old farm assistant works on the Fonterra Longburn Farm in Palmerston North, a complex operation involving two farms and 900 cows across two dairy sheds. “I signed up because I was encouraged to but didn’t think I’d win it. It’s quite a big deal,” says Jack. “Entering has created new networking opportunities and other chances like public speaking, which you wouldn’t ordinarily get on the farm.” His role at Longburn sees him assisting with the day-to-day running of the farm and because the farms are irrigated with wastewater from the nearby factory this adds a layer of complexity to operations. “There is a separate team that takes care of the irrigation, for example, so we have to be aware of working around them,” explains Jack. Jack works under the guidance of Longburn Farms Manager Jake Ferreira. Jack says Fonterra also offers a wide range of learning opportunities, allowing staff to gain experience across different parts of the business. For example he recently visited the factory to see operations beyond the farm itself. Growing up in Taumarunui on a sheep and beef farm, Jack developed a passion for working with animals early on. Win ‘a bit surreal’ Learning opportunities galore Wil (left) is grateful for the support received from Brendan and Tessa. Jack Foster (left) was named the 2026 Manawatu Dairy Trainee of the Year, along with two merit awards. “They really drill into your decision-making. You might think you know something, but they’ll keep asking until you’ve properly explained it. That was probably the most challenging part.” Working on the farm has provided valuable experience in modern dairy business with clear expectations and structured systems. “You’ve got to be on top of the small things because they add up. If you stay consistent, it makes the bigger jobs a lot easier when things get busy.” Alongside the regional title, Wil received the Franklin Vets Farming Knowledge Award, recognising strength in technical understanding and the ability to link day-to-day work with the wider farm system. That knowledge has been built through hands-on experience and a willingness to keep learning, supported by taking on responsibility across different parts of the business. “You’re always learning in this job. There’s always something new, or a better way to do something, and you’ve just got to be open to that.” Looking ahead, Wil remains focused on building experience and continuing to develop within the role. “I’m very happy in the role that I’m in. I know a lot of people are racing towards farm ownership, but for me it’s about enjoying the work, looking after the cows and staying in the industry.” “There’s a lot more technology involved now and there are so many different parts to learn about. If you enjoy being outdoors and working with animals, it’s a pretty good career to get into.” During high school, he lived on a lifestyle block and says he always wanted a career in farming. His first job out of school was on a large goat dairy farm near Auckland, where he worked for two and a half years. “I always enjoyed being out on the farm and helping Dad out,” he says. “Then I moved to Massey as I had planned to become a vet but didn’t get in, so I studied Animal Science instead. I finished that at the end of 2024 and did about six months in the South Island on a dairy grazing farm in Fairlie before moving back to Palmerston North to start at Fonterra.” While studying for his Bachelor of Animal Science at Massey University he also gained hands-on experience on the Massey dairy farm. That experience gave him an insight into a career working on farm and set him on his current path. “I’m passionate about the dairy industry and thrive on a challenge, especially the satisfaction that comes from completing a tough day.” Long-term, Jack is focused on progressing to farm ownership through management and sharemilking. “That’s obviously a far-off goal, so at the moment it’s about keeping on top of what I’m doing and working my way up through the industry,” he explains. He hopes to see more young New Zealanders enter the dairy sector, with greater encouragement from schools and universities. “Dairy farming is a career that offers a lot of variety and opportunity.” Proudly supporting B&T Hopson Partnership Diane Alsemgeest 027 304 3398 diane@gcmfeeds.co.nz WE ARE PROUD TO WORK WITH B&T HOPSON PARTNERSHIP. SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES . Normandy Road, Paeroa | 07 862 8263 paeroafarmservices.co.nz | Forage Services is proud to be associated with Fonterra’s Longburn Farms AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTING • GRASS • MAIZE • CEREAL • BAGGING Proudly supporting Fonterra’s Longburn Farms Ltd
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