Women clean sweep Auckland/Hauraki dairy awards

Huntly contract milker Rachael Foy was named the Share Farmer of the Year, winning $10,300 in prizes and four merit awards. 

The Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Manager of the Year award went to Stephanie Walker, who also works on a farm in Huntly. The Dairy Trainee of the Year title was won by Emma Udell, a farm assistant in Ngatea.

Foy is no stranger to the NZ dairy awards- she won the Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Farm Manager of the Year title in 2017 and placed third at the national finals that year.

Foy says the benefits of entering the Awards are numerous, including networking, benchmarking business, the prizes, raising profile and the National finals week.

She chose farming as her career because of the career development opportunities and ability to grow equity.

“Not only do I love the cows and the people in the industry, but it gives the opportunity to run my own business, manager multi-million dollar farms and employ staff.”

Foy is contract milker for Malcolm & Eileen Lumsden and Roger & Roanne Lumsden on their 300ha Huntly farm, milking 750 cows.

Being a young, single female has provided constant challenges for Foy when trying to get ahead and believes people are a strength of her business. “I have a great team of staff and supportive farm owners.”

Walker says the Awards process has provided her with invaluable networking.

“It has been priceless to be able to surround myself with like-minded individuals.  The Awards have been amazing and provided incredible opportunities for my career.”

Walker has been farming for five years, and is in her first year managing the 218ha Kauri Moor farm in Huntly, milking 615 cows. She won $6,975 in prizes and two merit awards.

Udell is a first-time entrant who was encouraged to enter the Awards by a friend.

“I relief milked during school to earn pocket money, then realised how much I loved the industry, so I decided to continue on at the same farm post-schooling for one and a half seasons,” she says.

“From there I spent some time travelling and exploring other career options, to enjoy the challenges of farming, working outdoors and with animals.

Udell is currently farm assistant on Ks King’s 77ha Ngatea property, milking 240 cows.  She won $4,750 in prizes and one merit award.