CowManager Winners Say Tech Is a "No-Brainer" to Keep
The inaugural winners of the NZ Dairy Awards’ CowManager Experience prize say it will be a no-brainer to keep the technology in their farm business after experiencing the results.
Dairy Trainee of the Year Simone Smail wants to keep climbing the industry ladder.
The 24-year old herd manager says she is excited about the future following her win at the Dairy Industry Awards in Invercargill.
“I’m so excited… I cannot wait to keep climbing the ladder,” she told Dairy News.
Smail says farm ownership is a long-term goal that “may take a while, but it’s certainly a goal”.
She won the dairy trainee title in her third attempt, winning $10,600 in prizes and the DeLaval Communication and Engagement Award.
Smail is herd manager on an Invercargill City Council farm, working for Steve and Tracy Henderson on the 780-cow, 310ha property at Invercargill.
Dairy trainee head judge Chris Withy says Smail presented herself well, was at ease in the environment and gave considered, accurate answers.
“She is an excellent example of someone who hasn’t grown up in a farming environment but has developed an obvious love of the land and the stock she works with.”
“Simone shows that anyone can go dairying and succeed if they work hard.”
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Fonterra Co-operative Group has confirmed the independently assessed candidates standing for election to its board in 2026.
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