From small farm in India to win
I want to sharemilk 400 cows in 2-3 years and my long-term goal is to own a 300-cow farm in eight years. — Amarjeet Kamboj, 2022 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Manager of the Year
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 wastefree 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.”
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian, and Ravensdown, along with industry partners DairyNZ and MediaWorks.
In a year of challenges, several share farmer entrants made the difficult decision to withdraw, leaving Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa with two entrants.
Traditionally, when a region has low entrant numbers, places are only offered to the winner and runner-up, or just the winner only, and when entrant numbers were very low, the category did not proceed.
However, with entrants interested in taking part and benefiting from doing so, not allowing them to participate goes against the New Zealand Dairy Industry Award’s philosophy and what the programme is striving to achieve. That approach also forces a winner of the category when the entrant may not be ready to progress to nationals.
This year Hawke’s Bay Share Farmer entrants’ scores were benchmarked against the national average, with data collated from the 10 other regions.
This means merit awards can be awarded if the entrant achieved at the right level. Winner, runner-up or third place can also be awarded, again depending on scores achieved.
Third place in the 2022 Hawke’s Bay/ Wairarapa Share Farmer of the Year category went to Chaminda Wijesooriya and Thilania Aththudawa who won $1287 in prizes and three merit awards.
Chaminda and Thilanka are contract milking for Mark Eagle on his 227ha Eketahuna property, milking 550 cows.
The couple entered the awards to gain experience and to analyse their business.
“We wanted to prove to ourselves that hard work can pay off.”
Growing up in Sri Lanka in a farming family, Chaminda saw his grandfather looking after a small herd of 15 cows every day.
“I’ve only ever worked as a dairy farmer.”
Gaining their New Zealand residency visa enabled the couple to begin contract milking, after spending the previous seven years managing dairy farms in the Canterbury region.
Future farming goals include owning a Kiwi-cross herd within the next three years and farm ownership.
“We would like to help protect the environment by educating ourselves to minimise the environmental impact.”
The 2022 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Manager of the Year, Amarjeet Kamboj, won $6897 in prizes plus four merit awards. Amarjeet is farm manager for Dairy Farm Investments on the 190ha, 550-cow farm at Pahiatua.
Before coming to New Zealand in 2014 to study business, Amarjeet was a poultry and small-scale dairy farmer in India.
“I lived for a year in Auckland but just wasn’t feeling my type of life and began farming in Northland.
“Dairy farming in New Zealand is very advanced compared to India and there is a lot of opportunity,” says Amarjeet.
“The whole world needs good quality food and I want to contribute my part in producing quality milk.”
The 33-year-old believes a Milk Quality and Health and Safety course should be compulsory for everyone who wants to work on a dairy farm.
Amarjeet identifies obtaining employers’ support for his visa as a challenge.
“Many farmers are not aware that supporting an employee for their visa is not a big process. There should be more education around this so all farmers can understand.”
Amarjeet holds a Bachelor in Commerce and a Master’s of Commerce, both from India as well as a Diploma in Business from New Zealand. He has obtained Primary ITO Level 4.
“My biggest success is my quality of work in the dairy industry over the past seven years,” says Amarjeet.
Future farming goals are smart and realistic.
“I want to sharemilk 400 cows in two to three years and my long-term goal is to own a 300-cow farm in eight years.”
Runner-up in the Dairy Manager category was Aled Ellis who works for KG & Estate JB Cassells on the 67ha, 195-cow Pahiatua property. He won $2657 and one merit award.
Aled says the knowledge that he’s working towards a future goal for himself and his family and enjoys milking cows that produce well, helps to drive him during challenging times.
The 35-year-old identifies the weather and Covid as his biggest challenges.
“Staffing has been a big issue which has resulted in fewer days off or away from the farm. I’m aware of how this can affect us mentally and it’s something I’m always conscious of.”
Originally from the UK where he grew up on a family dairy farm, Aled came to New Zealand five years ago to experience a different farming system.
“Demand for dairy is high and New Zealand is the most efficient and climatefriendly dairy producer in the world, despite government and mainstream media ignoring this aspect,” he says.
“We will have to get more production from fewer cows, lower stocking rates and less nitrogen usage. I’m passionate about the dairy industry and despite its