First time lucky for equity sharemilker

 Ash took the title and $19,150 in prizes at an awards night at the Awapuni Racecourse in Palmerston North on March 14.

The other big winners were John Wyatt, the 2015 Manawatu Farm Manager of the Year, and Blake Moore, the region’s 2015 Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Ash (33) says he had been too busy working on his dairy farming business to consider entering the competition. He equity sharemilks 1400 cows for David and Sarah Marshall near Marton. He has worked there 10 years since completing a BApplSc from Massey University and travelling and farming overseas.

He says he has complementary skills and a great working relationship with the Marshalls. “I’ve also got a great team of staff and support people who help me on a unique property.

“My ultimate farming goal is to own my own farm. In the meantime I’d like to keep learning, as I am passionate about the co-operative nature of the dairy industry.”

Sanson 25% equity farm manager Aaron Taylor was runner-up in the Manawatu Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, winning $6650 in prizes. Third went to Ashhurst 21% sharemilkers Ben and Lizzie Ash, winning $5800 in prizes.

John Wyatt (25) is making excellent progress in his dairy farming career: in 2009 he won the Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Trainee of the Year title.

“Winning [this] was a good opportunity for me and took me well out of my comfort zone,” Wyatt says. “It gave me a head start in progressing within the dairy industry.

 “Now entering the farm manager contest is beneficial as I get to see a different side of the dairy industry, meet other like-minded people and further raise my profile.”

Wyatt is a farm manager for Kevin and Joanne Argyle, milking 460 cows at Kairanga. He won $9245 in prizes.

Wyatt, who grew up on a small Dannevirke sheep and beef farm, says his focus is on profit over production and he is always looking at ways to make improvements.

“My goal is to achieve farm ownership through 50% sharemilking by the age of 35.”

Second in the farm manager contest went to Opiki contract milkers Jarrod and Nikki Greenwood, who won $6200 in prizes, and Rangiwahia farm managers Jon and Crystal Cranshaw won third, winning $3900 in prizes.

Winning the Dairy Trainee of the Year will boost opportunities for Blake Moore (21) as he seeks a manager’s position for the coming season. He is 2IC for Olsen Agriculture, milking 750 cows at peak at Opiki. He won $8000 in prizes.   

Ash will host a field day on April 9; Wyatt will host a field day on the Kairanga farm he manages on March 31. www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz