Fifth time lucky for dairying couple
Jarrod and Nikki Greenwood have proven that persistence and resilience are the key to taking out the Share Farmer of the Year title at the Manawatu Dairy Industry Awards.
In their fifth attempt they won the share farmer leg of the regional awards on Wednesday and were among the best dairy people in the region to be judged winners.
The Greenwoods say entering the dairy industry awards has given them a better understanding of their business.
They said the judges’ feedback had helped them improve and strengthen their farming operation.
When not working on the farm, the Greenwoods remained active and Jarrod (33) can be found working up a sweat with muay thai kickboxing, while Nikki is passionate about horse-riding. The could somehow fit these pastimes with work and four children aged from two to 11 years old.
They milk 320 cows on a 109 hectare Palmerston North property, owned by Ian Strahan.
Jarrod has been dairy farming since he was 16 years old, when he got his first farm assistant position.
‘‘I’ve worked my way up the industry ladder, progressing into management and then contract/ low order sharemilking positions,’’ he said.
The other major winners were Manawatu Dairy Manager of the Year Hayley Hoogendyk, and Manawatu Dairy Trainee of the Year, Stephanie Walker.
Runners-up in the share farmer competition were previous winners of the 2013 Manawatu Farm Managers of the Year Michael and Raewyn Hills.
Hayley Hoogendyk was the region’s 2014 Dairy Trainee of the Year. She said the earlier win had helped her realise the skills she had, and the skills she needed to build.
‘‘Dairy Manager got me thinking about my farm, and when I compared my farm’s key performance indicators (KPI) to the national targets, I was able to identify areas we needed to improve and how we could do it,’’ she said.
Hoogendyk is the farm manager for Te Paratai Farms Ltd, on the 220ha, 600 cow property in Rongotea owned by Roger and Noelene Taylor and Nigel Taylor.
‘‘I would like to progress to lower order sharemilking in June, 2019 and continue to increase the size of my herd,’’ she said. ’’Ultimately, I see myself overseeing multiple farms, and employing young people, to give them their first opportunity. I would also like to have first-time managers and contract milkers so I can support them and help them learn and embrace new opportunities. Human Resources is an area I really enjoy.’’
The Dairy Trainee of the Year was 22-year-old Stephanie Walker, who is a farm assistant at a Foxton Landcorp Farming Ltd farm.
Walker began her career in Waikato relief-milking and calfrearing, before moving to her position on the 281ha property, milking 840 cows. She plans to progress to a manager’s position in the next few years
All the winners will contest the national grand finals against winners from other regions.
A field day will be held on March 21 at 1450 Rangiotu Road, RD7, Palmerston North.