Waikato's top share farmer regrets historic 'poor decision'
The major winners in the 2024 Waikato Dairy Industry Awards are proof that poor decisions of the past can be overcome to carve out a successful career in milking cows.
In 2014, Nick won the 2014 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year and was runner-up in the Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa Share Farmer category last year.
He says entering the awards programme has opened many doors and job opportunities.
“Coming from a non-farming background, the awards have been a great opportunity to prove ourselves. We wouldn’t have the job we have now if it wasn’t for the exposure we have had through the NZDIA programme.”
Nick, 33, and Rose, 27, say they enjoy not just being farmers, but also managing their own business.
“We enjoy being in a position to be able to train and grow our staff for the industry,” they say.
“Good people drive profit.”
The Bertrams are 50/50 sharemilkers on Barry and Carol McNeil’s 150ha, 440-cow Woodville property. They won $7,632 in prizes and five merit awards.
The couple are passionate about breeding cows and enjoy managing the different challenges farming presents.
Nick is an enthusiastic advocate for the dairy industry and is Tararua Federated Farmers Sharemilker Representative and is also on the Federated Farmers national executive for Sharemilkers.
Future farming goals for the Bertrams include developing a calf-rearing block on land they have purchased and building their own home in a couple of years.
“We plan to be in a position to buy a farm of 400+ cows within the next seven years.”
