There are four finalists in the NZIPIM Emerging Rural Professional of the Year, which are currently being judged and will be announced by Farmax at the NZIPIM National Conference in Rotorua on August 8.
Farmax general manager Gavin McEwen says the calibre of the nominees in the category this year was particularly impressive:
"It is inspiring to see the young professionals who are finalists in our emerging rural professional category. Their drive, vision and the way they embrace technology and environmental compliance reveals the future direction of the agricultural industry. It's very positive to see, in them, the potential for New Zealand farming."
The four finalists are Agri Magic farm environment consultant Anna McLachlan from Canterbury; ANZ senior relationship manager Marcus Bousfield from Hawkes Bay, who specialises in agribusiness and equity partnerships; BakerAg agribusiness consultant Ellie Cranswick from Masterton; and Ravensdown farm environment consultant for Feilding, the Central North Island and Eastern North Island, Chris Tidey.
Tidey grew up on dairy farms in Taranaki and Canterbury and has been working in the agricultural industry for the past four years. He loves his job as a farm environmental consultant for Ravensdown Environmental in the Manawatu, which he juggles with studying for his masters degree at Massey University. In his work he supports farmers with on-farm mitigation and sustainability initiatives to reduce environmental impacts, and obtain land use consents for existing farm operations.
"My biggest reward is seeing farmer's happy when I've done a good job," says Tidey.
He says that intensification in the agricultural sector has led to challenges, including the sustainable use of water resources and environmental compliance.
"It will be crucial for farmers to engage with a trusted farm consultant and work together to gain on-farm efficiencies," says Tidey.
Cranswick has been working for five years in the New Zealand agricultural industry as a sheep and beef consultant for BakerAg in Wairarapa. Cranswick grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Dorset, England, and moved to New Zealand in 2011. She has a passion for the rural community and believes it offers a lot of opportunity to young people.
"You can be everything from a shepherd to a rural professional. The agricultural industry as a career is undersold to young people, but it's a prodigious industry to be in," says Cranswick, who added the industry needs to continue investing in education to allow children and young adults to develop a passion for the environment, animals and farming and agriculture.
Cranswick is project manager for the Beef + Lamb NZ Demonstration Farm Programme in the Wairarapa and is co-founder of the Wairarapa Rural Women's Initiative, a networking and educational group which has grown in membership.
McLachlan grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Culverden, North Canterbury. She's been working in the industry for 3.5 years, advising farmers on how to plan and implement farm systems within growing compliance constraints in relation to nutrient management.
"Kiwi farmers are so passionate about what they do and I love working with farmers to get great results – it's a real buzz," says McLachlan. "The biggest challenge for the New Zealand agriculture industry is how to maintain productivity and profitability within volatile market conditions and increasing environmental constraints."
She says technology and the support of rural professionals is key to help manage risks and develop more efficient, sustainable farm businesses.
Marcus Bousfield grew up on a sheep and beef farm in the central Hawkes Bay and says farming is "in the blood". He did a bachelor of commerce (agriculture) at Lincoln University and trained at Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm before joining ANZ. He works with farmers wishing to own farms or grow their existing businesses, and facilitates industry groups, including a red meat discussion group.
"The agricultural industry is an exciting one to work in. There are challenges, but there are a lot of people working hard to take things to the next level – adding efficiencies and improving sustainability. New Zealand farmers are resilient and looking at the long term future, and there is a positive story there," says Bousfield.
The four candidates all agree that technology is vital to farming's future success in New Zealand.
"Technology is going to change the industry immensely and will help improve efficiencies," says Ellie Cranswick, who said devices and apps will help farmers and consultants to monitor and track all aspects of farm practice.
McLachlan added: "Technology will have a massive impact on record keeping and help farmers make improvements and improve efficiencies." The smart use of technology will help farmers tackle compliance and manage increasingly complex farm businesses.
Tidey said use of technology has increased "in leaps and bounds" and using it to track where spray or fertiliser had gone using GPS applications makes managing compliance and environmental requirements a lot easier for farmers.
"It's cool to see young farmers who are 'all over' technology," says Tidey.
"I've been out on the farm and seen it in action, just through logging onto their phones."
Bousfield says technology and innovation will work hand-in-hand to help farmers become more sustainable, which is key to the future and success of the agricultural industry.
There are three categories in the Farmax Consultant of the Year awards: sheep and beef rural professional; emerging rural professional and dairy rural professional. Last year's emerging rural professional of the year award was won by Lycinda Lett from AgFirst's Waikato office.
This year's prize package includes a Windows tablet and professional development funding. How the nominees intend to use the funds will be considered as part of the judging process.
For more information about the Farmax Consultant of the Year awards visit www.farmax.co.nz
