Event manager carves out dairy career niche

Hoogendyk (28) left her job as an events manager and took up dairy farming five years ago.

In March she won the Manawatu Dairy Manager of the Year competition; earlier this month she was crowned the national winner at the Dairy Industry Awards final in Auckland.

Hoogendyk told Rural News she had not expected to win.

“I had a good feeling about the regional finals but winning the national title was not on my mind. It proves that young people switching to a career in dairying can succeed; I hope I will be a good role model for other young people.”

Hoogendyk is the farm manager for Te Paratai Farms Ltd, on Roger and Noelene Taylor and Nigel Taylors 220ha, 600 cow property in Rongotea.

Her aim is to progress to lower order sharemilking in June 2019 and continue to increase the size of her herd.

“Ultimately, I see myself overseeing multiple farms, and employing young people, to give them their first opportunity,” she says.

“I would also like to have first-time managers and contract milkers so I can support them and help them learn and embrace new opportunities. Human resources is an area I enjoy.”

The contest judges describe Hoogendyk as a “quiet achiever”.

“She has an all-round solid approach to the way she manages the farm she is working on. Her staff management was exceptional and her ability to set tasks and achieve targets were all linked to her people management skills,” the judges said.

“She’s a young woman managing a team of men and does well motivating them to perform at a very high level. Her team hold her in high regard and there is a great team culture. She understands all the different personalities of her staff and how they fit with each other.”

The 2017 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year, Clay Paton, encouraged young people to join the industry. He says he will use his win as a stepping stone to bigger and better roles in the industry.

The judges described Paton as focused on his career goals and a passionate advocate for the industry.

He has a bright future ahead of him, says dairy trainee head judge Andrew Reid from DairyNZ.

“He has a clear balance between his work priorities and life and family balance. He is very driven but has a strong community focus and an awareness of the issues the industry will be facing in years to come.

“Clay is family-orientated and wants a healthy and fun lifestyle for his young children. He sees the dairy industry as a way to progress his career and reach his life goals, and his goals of farm ownership must be right for the family.”

Paton got a standing ovation at the awards night for a video he made with his friend about his entry into the dairy industry and his future plans.

“He had a strong interview with the judges and is very articulate. He had a good general knowledge as well as applied farm knowledge,” says Reid.

“A standout about Clay was his passion for the dairy industry. He believes that to be successful you have to fall in love with your work, and Clay definitely loves his work.”