Professor Holmes’ big legacy — Editorial

He was regarded as the pioneer of once-a-day milking in NZ.

Holmes was up with the great Campbell McMeekan who rocked whatever boat it took to get the best deal from science for farmers, developing unique rapport with farmers and rural professionals.

So did Colin Holmes, the true gentleman in every way. His colleagues describe him as unafraid to speak his mind and to challenge, but without causing any offence.

Holmes was highly intelligent, a greater thinker and innovator and above all a brilliant scientist whose contribution to our nation has been huge.

His passion for the dairy sector came through in all his teachings, papers and presentations. That enthusiasm and passion never waned, earning him the respect of students, colleagues and rural professionals during a career spanning at least five decades.

Despite his vast knowledge and scientific brilliance, Holmes never set himself as the centre of attention. Like the Nobel Prize winner Professor Alan McDiarmid, Holmes made anyone who spoke to him feel valued and he showed an interest in what they were doing. This is the epitome of greatness.

In recent years Holmes advocated for once-a-day milking and with it a return to the proven concept of low cost, all-grass systems. At the numerous OAD field days he would offer insightful comments and promote science as the means of testing theories.

He was a great believer in robust, analytical, evidence based discussion, but did not dismiss out-of-hand ideas that some day might point to a solution.

Holmes' contribution to the dairy industry has been recognised over many years by many awards, the science community's way of honouring its own.

But there are honours more concrete, reflecting Holmes' true legacy: they can be seen every day on farms around New Zealand and beyond our shores. The farm systems he devised and the people he taught are the real legacy to his greatness.

The dairy industry will sorely miss him.