Pay cut worth every cent
DANNEVIRKE SHAREMILKERS Mark and Jaime Arnold were named the 2016 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year. They took home $52,000 in cash and prizes at last night's national awards in Wellington.
The Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year, Evan and Jan Billington, had been in the New Zealand Police and teaching until seven years ago; they also claimed five merit awards.
Farm Manager of the Year James Foote had been a professional rugby player, and the Dairy Trainee of the Year, Royce King, was a plumber and gasfitter.
“It’s interesting how people from other careers apply themselves and make rapid progress,” regional managers James Courtman and Adele Archer say. “It shows there is plenty of information and opportunities available to those keen to prosper in the dairy industry.”
The Billingtons, who won $14,330 in prizes, are 50% sharemilking 680 cows on two properties at Ngatea for Ken and Pat Jones. Their goal is to continue sharemilking and to grow their business as opportunities present.
“We want to build our equity to a level where we can take advantage of any future business opportunities. We are realistic as to what these may be given we have entered the industry later than most, however we believe the end goal of farm ownership is achievable and we have a plan in place to achieve that.”
The couple say two key success factors are their staff and the simple grass-based system they operate.
“We’ve been able to mould a positive team and have involved them in our seasonal plans for the business from the beginning. By providing competitive salaries, a flexible roster, ongoing training and some fun along the way, we’ve been able to retain key staff, which is a strength for us.”
After 10 years of semi-professional rugby in New Zealand and overseas, Foote has turned his attention to dairy farming with success.
King (26) is 2IC milking 530 cows for an equity partnership, Springfield Farming, at Paeroa.
Having grown up on a dairy farm, Royce gained his Plumbing and Gas Fitting Certificate and worked as a plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer for five years before entering dairying nearly three years ago.
Evan and Jan Billington will host a field day on April 1, while Foote, will host a field day on March 25 on the Miranda farm he manages.
