WE ARE BUYING!

“When you love what you do it doesn’t feel like work. The boys enjoy coming home to help on the farm and have a BBQ tea.”

Ricky and Maria cite their team as one of the biggest strengths of their business.

“We have a great crew with Kerrin being with us for six seasons and Isaac for three seasons. Being able to retain staff is awesome and makes life and the farm much easier.”

“The importance of having health and safety on-farm to keep us all safe is always evolving and the job is never done.”

Future farming goals include farm ownership on the West Coast.

“We’re excited about the future of Westland Milk and supplying quality milk to them. They produce fantastic products and we may be a bit biased, but we think they produce the best butter in the world.

“There is nothing quite like going to the supermarket and seeing a product on the shelf that you helped produce.”

The winner of the 2023 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager of the Year category grew up on a farm in India and is grateful for the training and resources available to him in his role.

Gurpreet Singh is farm manager for Pamu Farms of New Zealand on the 460ha, 1050cow Cape Foulwind property.

The first-time entrant said he enjoys the variety of the farming lifestyle.

“It’s a great feeling at the end of the day that I have helped put food on the table for many families.”

Jack Symes, who took out the Dairy Manager title in the Canterbury/North Otago region is farm manager on Judy and Brian Symes’ 160ha, 630-cow property at Southbridge.

The first-time entrant grew up on a dairy farm and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University.

“The dairy industry is continuing to become more efficient and productive while becoming more sustainable through technology and science,” Jack said.

“I see myself being a farmer who adapts to the changing environment as I move forward.”

Further details on the winners and the field day can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz