NZ’s Dairy Trainee of the Year inspired by awards experience

25 May 2011

New Zealand’s Dairy Trainee of the Year, Ben Smith, says it was a thrill for him to represent Hawke’s Bay Wairarapa at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards national finals in Queenstown on May 14.

“It’s an area of the country not heavily known for dairy, but we punch above our weight,” says the 23 year old who is currently working as the 2IC on a farm near Takapau, Hawke’s Bay.

He recently spent five days in Southland with the other regional Dairy Trainee of the Year winners as part of the lead up to the national finals.

“The study tour was just out of this world,” he says. “It opened my eyes to the depth this industry provides. We visited a wide range of places and high performing farms in the Southland region. We went to a robotic milking farm – it’s amazing to see what technology can do, the cows milk themselves, they wander in when they want and the robots milk them.

“We also visited the Edendale Fonterra plant, suited up in safety gear and had a tour of the plant. After speaking to inspirational people on the study tour I found it hard to sleep – it inspires you so much to know the opportunities that are out there,” he says.

The study tour also involved team building activities including a high ropes course at Adventure Southland.

“It was awesome to meet the other regional Dairy Trainees of the Year from across the country. They are all driven and passionate about the industry,” Ben says. “Being able to mix and mingle and gain contacts with other likeminded individuals was amazing.”

Ben says the judging process for the national finals included submitting a three minute DVD about himself prior to the event, participating in a dairy challenge and taking part in a 15 minute interview with the finals judges who’d previously watched the DVD he made.

He found the national finals awards dinner very enjoyable, if a bit nervewracking waiting for the announcements of the winners.

“I was definitely nervous,” he says. “For me it was an awesome end to a phenomenal week. The Dairy Trainees of the Year became quite a tight group and great friends after nearly a week together, so we went in thinking we’d be happy whoever won as it’d be our friend winning. I didn’t know what to expect, I was hopeful, I was in to win, but with the calibre of everyone else I wasn’t sure what would happen.”

For Ben one of the best things about the final were the networking opportunities. “I met a wide range of people from dairy farmers through to people who service the industry,” he says. “The industry leaders I met will be valuable contacts as I progress through the industry. It’s a great opportunity to learn from people.”

Ben is an advocate of up skilling through training and is currently completing his National Certificate in Agriculture, Dairy Farming, Level 4, through Agriculture ITO (AgITO).

“I’ve had two years dairy experience and one and half years’ sheep and beef experience since doing a three year business degree at Victoria University in Wellington,” Ben says, admitting that it was a bit of a change of scene.

“For me, after doing a degree, the Level 4 qualification is giving me a firm grounding in on farm knowledge and the theory behind the practical work I’m doing on farm,” he says.

“The classes reinforce the theory side of what you’re doing and they’re a good forum for questions. AgITO training gives you an amazing grounding in knowledge,” he says. “It’s not used enough. There is a broad spectrum of qualifications that can help you with a lot of things.

“There are farmers who don’t have the background theory knowledge and who think it’s not for them but it really stimulates your thinking.”

Ben is looking at his options for further study through AgITO once he finishes his Level 4 qualification.

“I plan to do the Rural Staff Management qualification,” he says. “I want to make sure I’m well prepared to move into management in the next couple of years. My five year goal is to be managing a farm where my equity is invested, whether that’s sharemilking or an equity partnership.”

Ben, who won a prize pool worth $8700, will also attend events like the New Zealand Agricultural Field Days over the next year to represent his new title.

“I’m looking forward to representing the dairy industry to young people coming through, they are the future of the industry,” he says.

Ben encourages other aspiring dairy farmers to give the awards a go. “Just being involved in a competition tests what you know,” he says. “There are opportunities to get ahead through networking and meeting leaders associated with the industry - it will blow you away.”

For more information about AgITO qualifications or to enrol, please call your local training adviser on 0800 691 111 today or visit www.agito.ac.nz. Further details about the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media