Finalist prepare for nationals

“This year’s finalists illustrate that there’s no right or wrong pathway to take in the dairy industry and that you can enter dairying at any age or stage and be successful,” says national convenor Chris Keeping.

The finalists are preparing for national judges visits ahead of the national awards dinner in Auckland on May 2, when the winners of the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions will be announced.

Keeping says the awards dinner provides an opportunity for the finalists to meet, share experiences and develop lifelong friendships. “It can be an extremely rewarding time.”

The awards aim to assist dairy farmers to progress in the industry as they progress in their dairy-farming career. Two of the finalists have already benefited from this. Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa finalist Matt Honeysett won the region’s Farm Manager of the Year in 2009 and Southland/Otago’s Jono Bavin won the regional Dairy Trainee of the Year in 2007.

“Most have entered the awards at least once before as they enjoyed and gained from the experience through networks they have made, business improvements they have learnt or the fun they have had,” says Keeping.

She says only two of the finalists – Northland’s Brad and Lesley Roberts and Manawatu’s Richard Ash – are first time entrants.

“What’s really impressive and highlights the increasing complexity of dairying is that seven of the 11 finalists have completed tertiary education to Bachelor level. It’s great that some of our brightest can see the opportunities and stimulating environment in dairying to succeed in business, to be part of a community, to share with their family and to grow wealth.”

The finalists include a former Policeman, teacher, accountant, and farm extension officer. The majority (seven) are operating in traditional 50% sharemilking agreements. One finalist is a lower order sharemilker, one is an equity sharemilker, and two are equity farm managers.

More information on the finalists can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

The 2015 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year finalists:

·         Northland, Brad & Lesley Roberts 25% sharemilking 900 cows, Kamo     

·         Auckland/Hauraki, Evan & Jan Billington 50% sharemilking 680 cows, Ngatea

·         Waikato, Aaron Price 50% sharemilking 250 cows, Morrinsville

·         Bay of Plenty, Grant & Karley Thomson 50% sharemilking 420 cows, Opotiki

·         Central Plateau, Johan & Theona Blom 50% sharemilking 270 cows, Ngakuru

·         Manawatu, Richard Ash equity sharemilking 1400 cows, Marton

·         Taranaki, Rob & Mel Van den Brand 50% sharemilking 210 cows, Manaia

·         Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa, Matt & Tracey Honeysett equity farm managing 1200 cows, Kahutara

·         West Coast/Top of the South, Kelvin & Heather McKay equity farm managing 285 cows, Greymouth

·         Canterbury/North Otago, Justin & Melissa Slattery 50% sharemilking 550 cows, Culverden

·         Southland/Otago, Jono & Kelly Bavin 50% sharemilking 500 cows, Tussock Creek.