Waikato farmers tackle debt as interest rates fall, says Zonderop
Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair Matthew Zonderop says two consecutive years of a $10 milk price is fantastic for New Zealand agriculture.
Price, aged 29 years, took out the major title at last week's 2015 Waikato Dairy Industry Awards, with his win netting him $22,000 in prizes.
This is the fourth time Price has entered the sharemilker/equity farmer contest, placing runner-up twice. By winning, he has achieved his short-term goal.
"My long term goal is to achieve farm ownership by 2021, to provide stability and security to myself and my wife Sarah. I also want to be able to help other young people progress through dairying and enhance the natural environment with a long term vision," says Price.
Holding a Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce from Lincoln University, Price is currently 50% sharemilking 250 cows for Clyde Whitechurch at Morrinsville. He is also a 50% shareholder in the two sharemilking companies he established with business partner John Assen.
"Our partnership has allowed me a lot quicker entry into sharemilking and then it has enabled us to expand the operation sooner than if I was on my own. It also provides support, flexibility, and greater economies of scale for us."
Price says entering the awards had also helped him achieve his goals. "Since entering I have improved pasture recording and my health and safety practices, I've lifted livestock targets, improved business monitoring and system analysis, and I am continuing to make improvements."
Walton 21% sharemilkers, Chad and Jan Winke, placed second in the contest, winning $10,200 in prizes, while third place went to Morrinsville 50% sharemilkers Luke Drent and Ryan Hardwick who won $7570.
The other big winners at the region's awards dinner include Paul and Kate Manion, who won the 2015 Waikato Farm Managers of the Year, and Brett Steeghs for the Waikato Dairy Trainee of the Year.
Waikato Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Aaron Price, will host a field day on March 31, while Farm Managers of the Year, Paul and Kate Manion, will host a field day on the Cambridge farm they manage on March 24.
Sharemilker/Equity Farmer Merit Awards:
· DairyNZ Human Resources Award – Aaron Price
· Ecolab Farm Dairy Hygiene Award – David & Lisa Anderson
· Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award – Aaron Price
· Honda Farm Safety and Health Award – Aaron Price
· LIC Recording and Productivity Award – Chad & Jan Winke
· Meridian Energy Farm Environment Award – Aaron Price
· Ravensdown Pasture Performance Award – Aaron Price
· Triplejump Risk Management Award – Luke Drent & Ryan Hardwick
· Westpac Business Performance Award – Aaron Price
Farm Manager Merit Awards:
· VetEnt Most Promising Farm Manager Award – James Pelham
· Effluent & Irrigation Design (NZ) Ltd Environment Award – Will Rolton
· Bayleys Real Estate Leadership Award – Tim Hyde
· Fonterra Best Practice Award – Tim Hyde
· New Zealand Farm Source Farm Management Award – Paul & Kate Manion
· Primary ITO Human Resource Management Award – Ed Auton & Rebecca Walker
· Westpac Financial Planning and Management Award – Paul & Kate Manion
Dairy Trainee Merit Awards:
· BlackmanSpargo Rural Law Ltd Most Promising Entrant Award – Jonathan Bell
· Dairy Production Systems Ltd Farming Knowledge Award – Brett Steeghs
· Bell Booth Leadership Award – Andrew Wards
· DairyNZ Practical Skills Award – Storm Burrows
Further details on the winners and field days can be found on www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.
