Top trainee proud to be a dairy farmer
challenges, I see myself as part of the solution going forward.”
The third placegetter in the dairy manager category says having clear systems and procedures in place leads to greater efficiency and profitability.
Rene´ ten Bolscher is farm manager for Clarence and Elise Stolte’s 170ha, 500-cow farm at Carterton. He won $1653 in prizes and one merit award and placed third in the same category last year.
The 2022 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Trainee of the Year is Jacob Stolte who placed second in the same category last year. Jacob is herd manager on Willem and Roelie Stolte and Clarence and Elise Stolte’s 170ha, 350-cow farm at West Taratahi. He won $7043 in prizes and two merit awards.
The third-time entrant saw the awards as an opportunity to meet other young dairy farmers who have a similar passion to excel in their field.
“Feedback from the judges was really positive, they all had excellent advice for future growth in the industry. Farming is in my blood and I’ve wanted to be a dairy farmer for as long as I can remember,” says Jacob. “I love the satisfaction of a job well done.”
Jacob would like to see a change in the public perception of dairy farmers.
“I’d love to see farmers welcoming people to come on farm to show them that we aren’t all bad and we actually do our best to be the
Farming is in my blood and I’ve wanted to be a dairy farmer for as long as I can remember. I love the satisfaction of a job well done. — 2022 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Trainee of the Year Jacob Stolte
environmentally-friendly farmers they expect us to be.”
Jacob says it can be challenging to be excited about the future of the dairy industry when it’s in a period of massive upheaval and change.
“But when I look around I see the dairy industry fighting for fair decisions, fighting to be the change, to be the best farmers we can be.
“I’m proud to be a dairy farmer and I’m certain I can be part of that change, no matter how small.”
Woodville senior farm assistant Heidi Tarbotton was second in the Dairy Trainee category, winning $1554 in prizes. She works for Ben and Nicky Allomes on their 290ha, 700-cow property.
Heidi wishes the general New