First-timers triumph in dairy awards

Russell and Nadine Meade, Whakatane, landed the Bay of Plenty region Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year (SEFOTY) title early last week while Andrew and Michelle McPherson took the same title in Waikato March 8, and James Courtman, Ngatea, the Auckland/Hauraki mantle March 6.

Both the McPherson’s and Courtman are Dairy Industry Awards debutants.

“We’re stoked,” Andrew McPherson told Rural News. “We put a hell of a lot of effort in but to win first time was just unbelievable,” he added.

While they will winter 500 cows, as of last week the dry meant they were down to milking 450 of their herd on the farm of Michael and Donald Macky, near Te Awamutu, where they’ve been sharemilking the past three seasons.

“And we’ll be down to 430 in a week’s time.”

That’s despite putting in about 9kg of feed (maize and grass silage plus PKE) to supplement the 3-4kgDM/head of grass they’re allocating.

“It doesn’t look like there’s a lot in there for the cows but the dry matter is really high and they’re not going hungry.”

The couple are both 40 and, with nine years’ sharemilking under their belts, aim to have their own 360-400-cow farm in 5-10 years. The plan in the meantime is to look for a smaller operation to buy that they can employ a manager to run while they stay sharemilking to pay down some debt. Such a move would also “provide a stepping stone for our staff,” they point out.

Ideally they’d like to stay in the Waikato, but haven’t ruled out moving further afield if need be.

“It’s a great dairying location and we’ve got fabulous farm owners.”

Meanwhile fellow first-time entrant Courtman is just 28 years old.

“I entered the awards… to challenge myself, to develop better goals, and to try and win!”

He’s currently 23% sharemilking 870 cows for Mark, Dianne, Richard and Karyn Townshend at Ngatea and has a Bachelor of Commerce from Lincoln University plus work experience on farms in Australia and Chile.

He aims to own up to 30% of a 200,000kg milksolids business within two years and 100% of the business by the time he is 35.

“I believe the strengths of the business are its focus on business operating costs and executing the production plan, which happens because of good skill sets and strong accountability.”

The Meades 50% sharemilk their 220 cows for farm owner Barbara Sullivan, and unlike the McPhersons or Courtman, are no strangers to the Dairy Awards, having won the2010 Farm Manager of the Year title in the same region.

“One of the many benefits we perceive this competition offers us is in motivating us to constantly examine our business to ensure that it is a sustainable, productive and competitive operation,” they say.

“It also gives us recognition within our region and helps improve and publicise our dairy farming reputation.”

Russell has been in the industry most of his life, having grown up on a dairy farm, and Nadine has embraced the dairying life since the couple met in 2006. 

While she still works off-farm, for Carter Holt Harvey, her management skills are pivotal to the farm’s operation.

“We believe the greatest strength that our business has is our complementary skill set. This makes it easy to align responsibilities and ensures that all aspects of our business are attended to and are managed by the best person for the job.”

Other title winners in Bay of Plenty were Chris Mexted, Farm Manager of the Year, and Thomas Chatfield, Dairy Trainee of the Year.

In Waikato, Gary McFarlane, won Farm Manager of the Year, and Thomas Herbert, Dairy Trainee of the Year, while in Auckland/Hauraki Kylie and Michael Cox are Farm Managers of the Year, and Mathew Whittaker Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Northland kicked of this year’s round of awards nights on Mar 2, where brothers Ian and Tim Douglas, Whangerei, took the SEFOTY title, Niall and Delwyn McKenzie, Wellsford, the Farm Manager award, and Jake Thomson the Trainee title.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, RD1, and AgITO.

All SEFOTY and Farm Manager winners host field days. Dates and details on www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz