BAY OF PLENTY | DAIRY MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Left: Dairy Manager of the Year Hayden Goodall went from labouring to farming.
Getting the opportunity to return to manage the farm for Matt and Laura Gow at Matata, where Hayden started his dairy career, was what kept him in farming. “We know what this farm is like so we jumped at the opportunity. It’s good to come back to a high quality farm and enjoy farming and milking cows again.” Hayden is milking 700 cows with three other fulltime staff, which is probably 0.5 labour unit more than a typical operation, he says. “People probably would think we are overstaffed, but it allows everyone to have support and if a day turns to crap then there is always yourself and two others onfarm.” It helps to look after staff well and ensure everyone has plenty of time off and is well rested during their rosters. From calving until September they typically do an 8 on/2 off roster, and then switch to a 12 on/2 off roster, with everyone getting a sleep in and an afternoon off every week.
FROM LABOURING TO FARMING
Farming with balance WORDS BY SHERYL HAITANA
T
he winner of the 2021 Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year category almost gave up farming last year because he was working too much and not having enough time for his young family. Hayden Goodall and his wife Chelsea have three children, Amelia, 9, Lilla, 5, and Lincoln, 2 and time with their children is precious. “We didn’t have the work/life balance where it should be and we talked about giving up farming and going down another route.”
Prior to entering the dairy industry seven years ago, Hayden was in a labouring job and wanted to pursue a career to create a brighter future for his family. “I had no prior background in farming and began as a farm assistant in 2014 and progressed to second in charge (2IC) over the next four years,” he says. “We left this farm to manage a 500-cow property and have found our way back to where it all started to manage this awesome property.” Hayden is proud of how much he has learned and grown as a person, going from a city boy to a farm manager in four seasons. “I’ve been able to set personal targets to create a brighter future and explore new and greater possibilities for myself and my family.” Hayden also won the 2017 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year. He believes the Awards helped him to communicate, develop his self-esteem and self-confidence and increase his farming knowledge. “On a relational level, the Awards helped me make connections and network with other farms throughout the country and develop
DAIRY MANAGER
MERIT AWARDS: Bay of Plenty DIA Most Promising Entrant – Brendan Teka
Proud to support the Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards Authorised Dealer
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BlackmanSpargo Rural Law Ltd Employee Engagement Award – Hayden Goodall The Business Results Group Ltd t/a Stem Rural Accountants Leadership Award – Hayden Purvis Vetora Bay of Plenty Feed Management Award – Hayden Purvis DeLaval Livestock Management Award – Hayden Goodall Fonterra Dairy Management Award – Thomas Houston MyMilk Power Play Award – Thomas Houston Westpac Personal Planning & Financial Management Award – Hayden Goodall
Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | April 2021
