Cream of the crop

By Gerald Piddock & Sonita Chandar

The National Dairy Industry Awards recognised the crème de la crème of New Zealand dairying – a sector that is clearly in good hands.

The biggest night on the dairy calendar was once again a dazzling display of all the finest the industry has to offer as the winners of the National Dairy Industry Awards were announced at a gala dinner for 500 at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland. Being a national award-winning share farmer literally runs in the family for Hayden and Bridget Goble from Taranaki, who were described as a power couple who are driven, genuine and focused dairy farmers.

The Taranaki farmers are the 2023 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year, taking the title 33 years after Hayden’s parents Kevin and Diane were the inaugural winners in 1990 of what was then known as New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year award.

It is believed to be the first time in the history of the awards that the son or daughter of a previous national winner has also won the national award.

Hayden said he remembers as a child watching his parents go through the judging process.

“The great thing about Hayden’s parents is that they have allowed us to do it our way. They are innovative, they are open to new ideas, and they are supportive,” Bridget said.

It was the first time they had entered the awards. Hayden said they had gotten to the point in their careers where they wanted to build some more networks and challenge themselves.

“We are at this stage and we had to give this a go now, push ourselves and meet new people.”

“We are both competitive people and we have both aimed to put our best foot forward for this and it just shows that our hard work has paid off,” Bridget said.

She believes it was their work as a team that helped them win the title. They are a team in everything that they do and view their individual goals as team goals.

“I think we have both got that drive and that push. It’s not one person leading it,” Hayden added.

Bridget said they also complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

The couple are 20% variable order equity partners together with Bridget Mooney, Kevin Goble and Diane Goble on their 200ha, 565-cow New Plymouth property.

The Gobles also won three merit awards for dairy hygiene and pasture performance, and the interview.

Hayden graduated from Telford in 2005 with a Diploma in Agriculture and Bridget is a doctor, with a specialty in emergency medicine.

The judges were impressed with Bridget’s on-farm technical knowledge and application.

“She’s a busy full-time doctor, but she is boots-in and we enjoyed seeing how she makes a positive contribution to their business,” Michele Cranefield, ANZ senior manager and judge, said.

“There is a power in their connection and balance of their partnership and they both have a genuine passion for the industry.”

Hayden acknowledged the other finalists in the Share Farmer category as well as the manager and trainee finalists.

“Hopefully we can continue this journey together and learn from each other along the way.”

He also thanked his parents: “You have been an inspiration to us and have allowed us to progress in the industry. You are forward thinking and have allowed us to carry out our ambitions.”

“And to do it our way,” Bridget added.

Canterbury/North Otago’s Jack Symes was named the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year.

He said winning the award made all of the hard work he has put into the contest over the past six months pay off.

“I’m very honoured on behalf of all of the other contestants around the country.”

Winning the title showed that hard work pays off and opportunities become available to those willing to do that.”

Symes is farm manager on parents Judy and Brian Symes’ 160ha, 630-cow property at Southbridge. He said they had been hugely supportive of him during the awards process and his farming career.

The first-time entrant grew up on a dairy farm and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University. He said entering the awards allowed him to develop skills and make connections that he will use in the future.

“This award has allowed me to express my passion for the industry and I am very excited to be part of a great industry going forward and cannot wait for what the future holds.”

He won four merit awards and more than $24,000 in prizes.

The judges observed that farming comes naturally to Symes and he is very credible and genuine.

“Jack is a very intelligent, quiet achiever who presented a pristine property,” judge Jack Meehan, from ANZ, said.

“He runs a tight ship, and his financial planning reflects a commitment to future goals.”

Northland farm assistant Bill Hamilton won the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year. He said it felt incredible to win the title.

“I didn’t even bother writing a speech because I didn’t think I’d win, it’s pretty special.”

Hamilton is a farm assistant on Richard

Outgoing and Sharon Booth’s 395-cow, 174ha property at Titoki, employed by Andrew and Vicky Booth.

The 24-year-old suffered a significant head injury during his university years, which he has overcome. He is grateful he is back and handling life on farm.

He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science majoring in agriculture from Massey University and enjoys the combination of practical outside work, the challenges, and the opportunities to progress his understanding and knowledge of the dairy industry.

Hamilton thanked the awards organisers for their work over the week leading up to the dinner, calling it “one of the best weeks of my life”.

“It has been such an incredible experience.”

The passion and optimism and drive that the other trainee finalists had for their businesses and industry had been incredible and inspiring, he said.

He also thanked his employers, the Booth family.

“They do amazing things on the farm and have really helped me develop as a person and as a farmer.”

Hamilton won more than $13,000 in prizes including a Honda XR 190 farm motorbike, along with the DairyNZ Practical Skills Award and Best Video Award, presented by Streamliner.

The Dairy Trainee judges said Hamilton was strong across all fields and is an excellent all-round farmer.

“He is consistently strong across all areas and stood out to the judges in all sections of judging,” judge Mark Laurence from DairyNZ said.

“He was very strong in the practical skills.

“Bill has built resilience through facing and overcoming challenges in his life.”

Also recognised was outgoing DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle, who was awarded the Services to the Dairy Industry Award, in recognition of his contribution to and advocacy for the NZ dairy industry over many years, and Cameron Henderson won the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award (see page 34).

Runner-up in the Share Farmer of the Year contest was Waikato’s Aleisha Broomfield. Canterbury/North Otago couple Jonathon and Stacey Hoets placed third.

The Dairy Manager runner-up was José Hamber from Manawatū, and Finja Philips from the Auckland/Hauraki region was third.

Canterbury-Otago’s Brayden Johnston was placed second in the Dairy Trainee of the Year contest and Manawatū farm assistant Sarah Powell was third. n