Thursday, 15 April 2021 07:55

Passion for dairy

Written by  Jessica Marshall
Beauty therapist-turned dairy farmer Tyla Ireland has won the DairyNZ Good Boss competition. Beauty therapist-turned dairy farmer Tyla Ireland has won the DairyNZ Good Boss competition.

A beauty therapist who turned to dairy farming has won the DairyNZ Good Boss competition.

The Good Boss competition asked farmers to say what a good boss meant to them.

Tyla Ireland was excited to become a beauty therapist when she graduated high school, giving others the opportunity to feel confident in their appearances, but found there weren't many opportunities available for new graduates.

"I decided to look at short-term calf-rearing opportunities, which was when I was lucky to be approached for a full-time position on farm."

She says, having been brought up on a dairy farm, she knew what it meant to work on a farm, but never realised it would be her career calling as well.

"Working on farm is such a great lifestyle. I never get tired of driving through the paddocks and seeing the cows and nature, especially in springtime with new calves running around," she says.

Two years later, Ireland works as a herd manager on a 490-cow dairy farm in Otorohanga, while also studying at Primary ITO to upskill and gain more knowledge in dairy farming.

She says the mentorship provided by her employers has been very important to her.

"My managers have provided the appropriate resources to further my skills, which really helped with my growth and progression on farm. This includes providing feedback on my work and how I could improve in different areas."

Ireland explains that having a good boss has made a big difference in her career change, helping her settle into her new job.

"I have been lucky to have had great experiences since starting in the sector. My bosses have all supported my learning and progress, and encouraged me to take on more responsibility," says Ireland.

"Getting up early every morning isn't always easy, but when you are in a great work environment you don't even consider snoozing that 4.30am alarm, you are just excited to go and work with your team."

More like this

Owl Farm marks 10 years as NZ’s first demonstration dairy farm

In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.

Featured

Elite sheep dogs to go head-to-head at Ashburton A&P Show

A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.

Safer Rides initiative boosts farm quad bike safety

According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.

Editorial: Farewell Jim

OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Microplastics problem

OPINION: Microplastics are turning up just about everywhere in the global food supply, including in fish, cups of tea, and…

Job cuts

OPINION: At a time when dairy prices are at record highs, no one was expecting the world's second largest dairy…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter