DAIRY INDUSTRY • AWA

RDS •

HAWKE’S BAY WAIRARAPA REGION

Responsible dairying to create solutions for the future

The winners of the 2022 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award are extremely passionate and excited about the New Zealand dairy industry and were humbled to receive the award.

Craigmore Agri Relationship Partner Caroline Amyes says receiving the award at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards National Gala dinner was a great recognition of the awesome work their farming leaders and teams are doing every day and shows that they are on the right track.

“It is a re˜ ection on the passion and skill of the farmers in our team as well as the Craigmore farming group,” she says.

“Our goal is to help create solutions that will continue to set us up for a positive future.”

Craigmore Farming Services is comprised of 22 dairy farms and one sheep and beef property from Culverden down to Middlemarch with a highempowerment management model where there is a high level of trust with their people.

“We understand that every farm has its own personality and system it can run, made up of its topography, climate, infrastructure, soils and so on,” explains Caroline.

“Each individual also has their own personality, interests and system they like to run, and where the two crossover is the sweet-spot for performance.”

Supported by a performance committee who provide coaching and support, each farming leader identiÿ es their passions and interests which are then used in controlled on-farm trials for new initiatives and technologies.

“Our size allows us to wear this risk and our aim is to share our learnings from each trial, helping to create solutions for New Zealand agriculture,” says Caroline.

Current trials include o˛ -crop winter grazing with deferred pasture, round bales and self-feeding stacks, Halter cow management system, SmaxTec in rumen animal health monitoring bolus, biological stimulants for soil health, stream health assessments, biodiversity planting, people 360 review process, soil carbon monitoring and community planting projects.

Sustainable vision guides 2022 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards Share Farmer winners

The winners of the 2022 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards Share Farmer of the Year say everything they do is to a high standard, for the good of the industry and themselves.

Jono and Kerri Robson were named the 2022 Hawke’s Bay/ Wairarapa Share Farmers of the Year at the region’s annual awards.

To capture all the data in the trials and initiatives, Craigmore are developing a Social License to Farm programme, which focuses on seven pillars; Green House Gas Emissions, Water, Soil, Biodiversity, Animals, People & Community, Business.

“Under each pillar we have long-term goals and key objectives we are working towards, and each of these trials is helping us work towards achieving these long term targets,” explains Caroline. Responsible Dairying for Craigmore means helping to create solutions for the future of the New Zealand dairy industry through highly engaged and talented teams who have the space and support to meet their own personal, career and life goals.

“It means having thriving and stable communities, healthy ecosystems, and positive environmental outcomes with happy and healthy cows in ÿ nancially-viable and sustainable businesses that create a return for our investors and shareholders,” says Caroline.

“The Awards programme does an exceptional job of recognising and developing our future leaders and we would also like to recognise the great work the other two ÿ nalists are doing. We are proud to be supporters of the Canterbury region and now winners of this award.”

More information on the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award can be found at dairyindustryawards.co.nz

Other major winners were Amarjeet Kamboj, the 2022 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Manager of the Year, and Jacob Stolte, the 2022 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Trainee of the Year.

The Robson’s are 50/50 herd-owning sharemilkers on Dean Nikora and Alexandra Stewart’s 119ha, 350-cow Waipukurau property. They won $10,586 in prizes and six merit awards.

Jono and Kerri entered the Share Farmer category twice previously, while Jono was also a past entrant in the Dairy Manager category. They say entering the Awards programme has had many beneÿ ts, primarily the increased focus on their business and business practices.

“We enjoyed the relationships and other networking avenues that the Awards opened up for us, and found it inspiring to meet industry powerhouses at the Awards dinners.

“The Awards helped us recognise the purpose and direction that was best for our business and the feedback provided by the judges was invaluable and knowledgeable.”

The couple have been in the dairy industry for ten years together, with Jono a variable sharemilker in the South Island prior to meeting Kerri.

Jono enjoys the variety of work farming o˛ ers and ÿ nds the pathway to become your own boss very appealing.

“Kerri and I chose farming due to the lifestyle it created for us and our children. I love how our children invent fun from work!”

Kerri had no farming experience prior to meeting Jono.

“I’m now involved in all aspects of the farm from the physical work to networking to the agribusiness side of things.”

“I love the life farming provides and the experiences our kids are fortunate to live.”

The Robsons are excited to be part of the future New Zealand dairy industry and feel key points would be around animal management technology, breeding improvements and the use of cows’ diets to minimise environmental impacts.

“We see ourselves as the new generation coming through and strive to be leaders in the industry who will drive it forward in the most sustainable and ethical way possible.”

With that in mind, the couple are changing the way they approach newcomers to the industry.

“We are here to employ, support and train newcomers because we want a successful succession journey within the industry. It’s our vision that others see the industry in the light we see it.”

Future farming goals include purchasing a dry stock block to create a waste-free closed system and diversifying into beef animals from their dairy stock.

“We are going to use animal management technology to manage multiple farms, successfully.”

“We intend to remain prominent players in the industry through consulting roles, agribusiness avenues and to keep the gateway open for incoming sharemilkers on our own farms.”