Monday, 14 May 2012 08:54

Canterbury trifecta at dairy awards

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Canterbury won the trifecta at the 2012 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards on Saturday night, with its regional representatives winning all three titles.

It is the first time one region has claimed all three titles. Enda and Sarah Hawe won the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Mick O'Connor won the New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and Nathan Christian won the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year.

The winners were announced at Auckland's Sky City Hotel in front of 680 people.

"It is quite a feature and it has blown us away really to have the three winners from the same region. It also underlines the strength and powerhouse the Canterbury region has become in terms of dairy farming, and the opportunities that creates for young people to progress their dairy farming careers," national convenor Chris Keeping says.

In another twist both the Hawes and Christian are employed by the same Ashburton farming family, Richard, Jan, Ben and Shannon Johnson.

The Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner AgITO.

While Canterbury was dominant, the finals judges noted other trends among this year's group of 36 finalists representing 12 regions throughout New Zealand.

Judges say it is clear the changing nature of farm ownership structures is having an impact on finalists in how they are planning their future goals, there was greater consideration of environmental concerns and public perceptions of dairy farming, and finalists had developed strong support networks to help them progress their career.

"There is an acceptance that farm ownership isn't the only way to enjoy participation in a vibrant industry. The finalists are thinking about security for their family and about enjoying a more balanced lifestyle."

Judges say the change in ownership structures through equity partnerships and corporate farming had opened different career pathways and opportunities. "The finalists believe that farm ownership is no longer the only way to achieve security in the industry," judges say.

"The finalists are also concerned about the way the industry is perceived publicly and they are prepared to do something about it. It's not just about milk production and making money, the finalists are aware of environmental issues and looking after New Zealand's global reputation."

Judges also say the people advancing the best in the industry have great relationships with farm owners and a good support network with mentors around them.

The attention to detail that 2012 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year Enda and Sarah Hawe give to every facet of their business is impressive, head judge Andy Ewen says.

"They are both really enthusiastic about the industry. Enda is Irish and has come over here and made every post a winner."

The Hawes, aged 33 and 29, have been lower order sharemilking (17.5%) 1400 cows and have secured a 50% 650-cow sharemilking position for the new season.

Ewen says the couple has made huge progress since first entering the industry six years ago, amassing impressive equity growth over that time.

The only single man in the contest, John Butterworth, aged 24, representing the Central Plateau region, placed second. "The farm is one of 22 in the Rotorua Lakes catchment so he is extremely environmentally aware." Mr Butterworth is 50% sharemilking 500 cows at Mamaku.

Third went to Otago representatives, James and Helen Hartshorne, aged 34 and 33. "They love what they are doing and work tremendously well as a team."

The Hartshornes, who are 50% sharemilking 540 cows at Tapanui, both studied agriculture in the United Kingdom and came to New Zealand in 2000 with nothing and have made great progress in the industry.

There were also two Australians among the sharemilker/equity farmer finalists – Northland's Lucy Heffernan and Taranaki's James Van Den Brand.

The 2012 New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year, Mick O'Connor, aged 31, was a standout on-farm performer in the competition, head judge Leo van den Beuken says. O'Connor is contract milking an 840-cow Dairy Holdings property at Dunsandel.

"Mick is making the best use of the tools available to him to get the required results for all aspects of his farm, including his pasture management, record keeping of livestock, and health and safety. He had plans in place for the next few years, including going onto a 400-cow 50% sharemilking position."

Second place went to Waikato contract milker Thomas White, 23, who has a Diploma in Agriculture from Massey University.

"Thomas is on a family farm close to the Putaruru township. The town looks down on the farm and there are lots of eyes watching him, so he has a strong sense of responsibility to ensure that he is farming responsibly. He was also doing very good production per cow and per hectare," Mr van den Beuken says.

White is progressing to a 50% sharemilking position off the family farm in the coming season.

Third place went to Auckland Hauraki representatives and career changes, Paul and Amy Koppens, both aged 32. "Not only have they had to contend with split calving, but the farm has two run-offs associated with it that they have to manage."

Paul Koppens was a drainlayer for 11 years and Amy Koppens worked as a property manager and also had her own wedding planning business. They are now contract milking 240 cows.

The 2012 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year, Nathan Christian, aged 22, is an outstanding young man who is focused and determined to achieve dairy farm ownership, says head judge Don Seath.

Christian has a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture from Lincoln University and has competed in the Coast to Coast multisport event. He has a goal of farm ownership by 2020.

"I would have a high level of confidence in the fact that he will achieve the goals he has set himself in the future. He is a very mature balanced person who works hard and manages to achieve activities off the farm as well," Mr Seath says.

"The trainee competition is gaining traction and I believe the trainees coming into the competition are better prepared than in the past – certainly they are receiving some good schooling from their supporters and advisors."

Southland farm assistant Robert Ankerson, 23, placed second in the trainee contest, demonstrating strength in industry issues. "Robert was outstanding really for someone that young in his ability to show a wider representation on effluent disposal and environmental issues for the industry," Seath says.

Third place went to West Coast /Top of the South representative Michael Shearer, 19. "What separated Michael from the others was his confidence and ability to express himself."

Full Results:

NZ Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year:

1st – Enda & Sarah Hawe, Canterbury/North Otago, winning $39,970 in prizes

2nd – John Butterworth, Central Plateau, $22,000 in prizes

3rd – James & Helen Hartshorne, Otago, $13,380 in prizes

Merit Awards

• DairyNZ Human Resources Award – Scott & Alicia Paterson, Auckland/Hauraki

• Ecolab Farm Dairy Hygiene Award – Enda & Sarah Hawe

• Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award – Richard & Amy Fowler, Bay of Plenty

• Honda Farm Safety and Health Award – John Butterworth

• LIC Recording and Productivity Award – James & Rebecca Van Den Brand, Taranaki

• Meridian Energy Farm Environment Award – James & Helen Hartshorne