Bridging the gap with rural New Zealand
OPINION: One thing I keep hearing from rural New Zealanders is the importance of relationships. Strong relationships don’t just happen - they take trust, consistency, and time.
Justin and Melissa Slattery were named 2015 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year at the Dairy Industry Awards Grand Final in Auckland on Saturday night. James Foote became the 2015 New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and James Davidson was announced 2015 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year.
Judges say the winners are all actively seeking to manage through tougher economic times in the dairy industry.
"They are ahead of the game and are planning to ensure they will be profitable if the payout is bad," says Sharemilker/Equity Farmer contest head judge Mark Horgan.
"The whole group were focused on operating profitable systems."
Horgan says the Slatterys, gave an "exceptional" on-farm presentation that was clear, concise and easy to understand.
"They have evidence to back up everything they are doing. They have done detailed cost analysis of every aspect of their farm business to ensure they remain profitable."
Aged 29 and 28 years, the couple are 50% sharemilking 550 cows for Norm and Sandra Williamson at Culverden. They are completing their first season in the position and had researched where they should farm to best progress their career.
"They weren't just moving to a place for a job, they were moving to a place they thought would help them grow their business," says Horgan.
Their immediate goal is to double the size of their sharemilking business and they want to be farm owners within five years. The couple won $53,500 in prizes.
The 2015 New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year, James Foote, aged 30, has a drive and thirst for knowledge, according to head judge Richard Jones.
"He's farming a really hard and challenging farm. He's done a lot of repairs and maintenance just to get things to an operational state and his management systems are very good," says Jones.
Foote played semi-professional rugby for 10 years and is now contract milking 425 cows at Miranda for Russell and Ces Evans. He won $27,900 in prizes.
"The life skills and disciplines that he has from his previous career as a rugby player have given him a great grounding in dairy farming," Jones says.
"He has a strong focus on improvement and does a SWAT analysis each six months and he focuses on turning a weakness into a strength. We found that very refreshing.
"He has a clear plan to go 50% sharemilking in 2016 and we are sure he will do that," he says.
Head Dairy Trainee competition judge Nikki Halford says the 2015 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year, James Davidson, is passionate about the dairy industry and has identified a career pathway within it.
"We warmed to his presentation and he was very confident in himself," says Halford.
"The video James prepared for judging was fantastic and illustrated the variety of knowledge and skills required to manage a dairy farm. It really showed his passion for dairying and the variety that it offers."
The 26-year-old won $19,500 in prizes and is currently working on the Darfield, Canterbury farm, owned by Warren and Annemieke Thomas milking 1400 cows.
Full Results:
2015 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year
· Winner –
· Runner-up – Johan & Theona Blom
· Third – Rob & Mel van den Brand
· DairyNZ Human Resources Award – Justin & Melissa Slattery
· Ecolab Farm Dairy Hygiene Award – Kelvin & Heather McKay
· Federated Farmers Leadership Award – Matt & Tracey Honeysett
· Fonterra Interview Award – Evan & Jan Billington
· Honda Farm Safety and Health Award – Evan & Jan Billington
· LIC Recording and Productivity Award – Kelvin & Heather McKay
· Meridian Energy Farm Environment Award – Jono & Kelly Bavin
· Ravensdown Pasture Performance Award – Justin & Melissa Slattery
· Triplejump Risk Management Award – Evan & Jan Billington
· Westpac Business Performance Award – Johan & Theona Blom
2015 New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year
· Winner – James Foote
· Runner-up – Mark Cudmore
· Third – Karla Frost
· DairyNZ Interview Award – Mark Cudmore
· Fonterra Best Practice Award – Lance Chadwick
· Meridian Energy Leadership Award – Karla Frost
· Fonterra Farm Source Farm Management Award – James Foote
· PrimaryITO Human Resource Management Award – Mark Cudmore
· Westpac Financial Planning & Management Award – Karla Frost
2015 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year
· Winner – James Davidson
· Runner-up – Gerard van der Mark
· Third – Brett Steeghs
· DairyNZ Practical Skills Award – James Davidson
