fbpx
Print this page
Friday, 12 April 2019 11:27

Great staff, good networks pay off

Written by 
Southland/Otago winners, from left: Caycee Cormack, Cameron and Nicola van Dorsten and James Matheson. Southland/Otago winners, from left: Caycee Cormack, Cameron and Nicola van Dorsten and James Matheson.

The winners of the 2019 Southland-Otago Dairy Industry Awards Share Farmer of the Year competition believe strong relationships and networks are the key to their successful business.

Cameron and Nicola van Dorsten, aged 33 and 31 respectively, are 50/50 sharemilking 575 cows on Ray Parker and Sharon Corcoran’s 204ha farm in Outram. 

Cameron and Nicola both come from dairy farming backgrounds and enjoy the different challenges the industry offers. 

“There are always new advances in research and technology. The dairy industry has a good career path which allows for equity growth and the chance for us to progress young people through.”

The 2009 economic downturn challenged them. “We lost our equity and had to build it back up to where we are now.”

The van Dorstens say they have learnt the importance of working with people with similar values and goals. “Our staff and network all work together.

“We continually analyse facets of our business to maximise profit and production for ourselves and our farm owners.”

Cameron and Nicola are first-time entrants to the awards and say they wanted to fine-tune their business and to lead by example for their staff. “We’ve stepped outside our comfort zone and would like to begin to give back to the industry.”

The couple forsee farm ownership or an equity partnership in their future, with people who share the same values and aspirations as themselves. 

“We’re proud of our outright herd ownership and seeing our staff go on to management roles.”

More like this

New chair for NZDIA

Manawatū farmer Raewyn Hills is the new chair of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards national committee.

Cut the excessive red tape!

Politicians at this year's New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards heard a clear message from organisers - do not bog the industry down in excessive red tape.

Brothers share on-farm success

Two years ago, sharemilking brothers Sumit Kamboj and Manoj Kumar created history by becoming the first siblings to win the Share Farmers of the Year title in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as…

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand…

Machinery & Products

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.