increase font size
Hayden Kerr.
2016 Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Manager of the Year, Hayden Kerr (26), wants to inspire others to do well in the industry.
He is a manager on the 270-cow farm his parents, Craig and Janine Kerr, own at Rotongaro, near Huntly; he won $14,000 in prizes.
"I am a fast progressing and results driven young farmer, wanting to inspire other young adults to do well in the industry," Kerr says.
He entered the dairy trainee competition in his first season dairy farming in 2013 and was placed in the top six. "I found it a great way to measure my skill level and help me assess what I needed to learn as a trainee before moving on to a farm manager role.
"Now, as a farm manager I have gained confidence in my skills and have a plan of where I am going in the industry and how I am going to get there. Also, the networking I have done since entering the awards has been beneficial in sourcing knowledge and resources for my progression."
Kerr says working for a family business with a small herd had enabled him to be hands-on and involved in all areas of the business.
The former motorcycle mechanic now plans to progress through sharemilking or an equity partnership to farm ownership.
Jacob Jenkins (22), a second-in-charge, was runner-up in the dairy manager competition, winning $8000 in prizes. Third place went to Paeroa farm manager David Rawnsley (36), who won $4500 in prizes.
The 2016 Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Trainee of the Year, James Doidge (20), won $7765 in prizes; he is second-in-charge on a 500-cow property owned by Stuart and Kim Muir at Aka Aka.
He entered the awards once before to gain experience. "I thought the judges' feedback would benefit me and it would help me become a better dairy farmer."
He left school aged 16 to enter the dairy industry and worked for Muir for two years before having to take time off to recover from an accident. He returned to Muirs' farm last year.
"My farming goal is to progress through the industry until I can buy cows and go sharemilking, while I save money to buy a farm."
North Canterbury pig farmer Steve Sterne has been honoured with NZ Pork's Outstanding Contribution Award, recognising his 27 years of dedication to excellence in the sector.
OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.
Waikato's top share farmers of the year, Logan and Sian Dawson, are chuffed to see their kids so proud of their achievement.
It was a clean sweep by women at last night’s Auckland/Hauraki regional dairy awards.
This year's Kate Sheppard Memorial Award recipient will support research to ultimately help New Zealand farmers choose forages for best production and drought resistance.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.
Following recent storms in the region, the 69th edition of the Tour of Southland cycling event has been postponed.
OPINION: Microplastics are turning up just about everywhere in the global food supply, including in fish, cups of tea, and…
OPINION: At a time when dairy prices are at record highs, no one was expecting the world's second largest dairy…
