Wednesday, 13 November 2024 09:55

Sharemilker completes the trifecta

Written by  Staff Reporters
2024 West Coast/Top of the South Share Farmer of the Year award winners, Michael and Cheryl Shearer. 2024 West Coast/Top of the South Share Farmer of the Year award winners, Michael and Cheryl Shearer.

The major winners in the 2024 West Coast/Top of the South Share Farmer of the Year award, Michael and Cheryl Shearer were happy to complete the trifecta.

He was named 2014 Taranaki Farm Manager of the Year and in 2012 he placed third in the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competition after winning the West Coast Top of the South regional title.

Michael says he "really wanted to tick the box of winning all three categories".

"Success in the awards has definitely provided us with opportunities we otherwise would not have had.

"We also really enjoy the networking it provides, and it really does give you confidence both personally and in what you are doing on farm."

The Shearers cite their financial discipline and low-input, once-a-day system as their business' greatest strengths. They run a tight ship that is sustainable and profitable in all payouts and say the once-a-day system allows for time out of the shed and off the farm.

"It's important to be able to give your mind a rest from the farm as this helps to keep your head and thoughts clear and remind you what is really important."

The Shearers are 50/50 sharemilkers on Russell Andrews' 225ha Reefton farm milking 500 cows. They won $8,000 in prizes and four merit awards. Entries for the 2025 NZDIA are now open.

West Coast Top of the South Regional Manager Anna Derks says all entrants eligible to win a trip to the Bay of Plenty for the National Final Gala dinner in May 2025. For more information visit the NZDIA website.

More like this

Inequality 'is on the rise'

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub is warning that inequality between countries has fallen markedly over the past 200 years but inequality and political polarisation within countries was on the rise.

Fonterra sticking to $10/kgMS milk price

Fonterra has reaffirmed a forecast milk price mid-point of $10/kgMS for its farmer shareholders, with just over two months of the 2024-25 season left to run.

Awards to boost farm ownership goals

Two new Awards have been developed for the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) programme that will help some farmers on their journey to farm ownership.

Featured

Mixed season for Waikato contractors

Last season was a mixed bag for Waikato contractors, with early planted forage maize, planted on the dry soils around Cambridge, doing badly after germination and failing to meet potential, says Jeremy Rothery, Jackson Contracting.

National

Machinery & Products

Gong for NH dealers

New Holland dealers from around Australia and New Zealand came together last month for the Dealer of the Year Awards,…

A true Kiwi ingenuity

The King Cobra raingun continues to have a huge following in the New Zealand market and is also exported to…

Data crucial to managing water

Watermetrics was formed as a water data collector and currently supplies and services modern technology such as flow meters, soil…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Another win

OPINION: Feds Southland 'pres' Jason Herrick and colleagues who continue the good fight against bureaucratic madness on behalf of farmers,…

Bagrie bags banks

OPINION: Noted economist and self-promoter Cameron Bagrie took one look at KPMG's recently released Financial Institutions Performance Survey on banks…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter