Late Starters Win Otago Dairy Awards

They may have been late to enter the dairy industry, but Tim and Lorraine Johnson have proven they are no slouches by winning the 2011 Otago Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year competition.

“As newcomers to the industry, and being in our 40’s with a good business background, we have a sense of urgency with regards to where we are heading in the future.”

The couple won $13,500 in cash and prizes when announced winners at the Otago Dairy Industry Awards dinner held at the Balclutha Memorial Hall last night. The 2011 Otago Farm Manager of the Year, Scott Levings, and 2011 Otago Dairy Trainee of the Year, Brendan Morrison, was also announced.

The Johnsons are currently 50% sharemilking a 352-cow herd for Dairy Holdings at Tapanui. They plan to move to a larger 50% sharemilking position or take on a lower order sharemilking position with a 20% to 30% equity share.

They entered the awards for the first time to gain a better understanding of their business, showcase their abilities and increase their profile.

After entering the industry in 2007, the couple has quickly progressed from working as an assistant to managing and now sharemilking. They say they each bring different strengths and abilities to the business. They also think they are good employers.

“We appreciate and recognise the strengths and weaknesses of our employee and give good positive encouragement and training, hence we have had a stable workforce.”

The runner-up in the Otago Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year contest was Taieri Plains 50% sharemilkers Cameron and Anna Edgecombe. They won $8900 in prizes.

The Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner Agriculture ITO.

A highlight of entering the awards for Roxburgh farm manager Scott Levings has been the opportunity to network with sponsors, organisers, judges and other competitors. It has also been winning the 2011 Otago Farm Manager of the Year title and about $10,300 in cash and prizes.

Mr Levings has been in the industry five years, managing a 625-cow farm for Grant and Gaynor Scott the entire time.

“I received extra training and support in my first few years as I developed my skill base and gained the required experience. I have tried to fast track this by completing nutrition training, a farm manager’s programme and studying Agriculture ITO papers.

“A strength of the business is the willingness of the farm owners to trial and implement new technologies and systems to achieve efficiency’s, financial gain or improvements to the overall business.”

He plans to continue to produce milk in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner while gaining experience and skills to progress to sharemilking or an equity partnership.

Clinton farm managers Gareth and Angela Dawson were runner-up in the farm manager contest, winning $4300 in cash and prizes.

The 2011 Otago Dairy Trainee of the Year, Brendan Morrison, aged 21, is the fifth generation farmer on the family’s Inch Clutha property. “My farming goal is to take over the family farm which has been in the family for more than 100 years.”

Mr Morrison, who won $5700 in prizes, has worked on the 400-cow farm owned by his parents Stewart and Marie Morrison since leaving school.

It was the third time he had entered the awards. “I’ve really enjoyed meeting new people in the industry and the opportunity to find out the things you have to work on to become a better dairy farmer.”

He is also active off the farm in sporting activities and is chair of the Clutha District Youth Council, an entity he has been on for four years.

Balclutha farm assistant Brooke Miller placed second in the trainee contest, winning $1000, and Gore first-year farm assistant Luke Kane was third, winning $500.

All three winners will now compete for the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year titles and a prize pool of more than $130,000 in Queenstown on May 14.

Otago Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year Tim and Lorraine Johnson will host a field day on April 11, while Otago Farm Manager of the Year Scott Levings will host a field day on the Roxburgh farm he manages on April 18. Further details on the winners and field days can be found on www.dairyindustryawards.conz.

Sharemilker/Equity Farmer Merit Awards:
• Clutha Vets Animal Husbandry Award – Peter Johnstone
• DairyNZ Human Resources Award – Tim & Lorraine Johnson
• Ecolab Farm Dairy Hygiene Award – Cameron & Anna Edgecombe
• Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award – Simon & Hilary Vallely
• Honda Farm Safety and Health Award – Simon & Hilary Vallely
• LIC Recording and Productivity Award – Cameron & Anna Edgecombe
• Meridian Energy Farm Environment Award – Peter Johnstone
• Ravensdown Pasture Performance Award – Rob & Jayne Neeley
• Westpac Business Performance Award – Tim & Lorraine Johnson

Farm Manager Merit Awards:
• CCMP Pride and Presentation Award – Brett Russell
• Shand Thomson Long Term Vision and Industry Knowledge Award – Scott Levings
• DairyNZ Human Resource Management Award – Scott Levings
• RD1 Farm Management Award – Scott Levings
• Westpac Financial Planning and Management Award – Gareth & Angela Dawson

Dairy Trainee Merit Award:
• Farming Knowledge Merit Award – Laura Sharpin

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