New leaders for Sharemilkers and Sharemilker Employers

5 June 2013

New leaders for Sharemilkers and Sharemilker Employers

Twin leadership changes have come about for Federated Farmers Dairy’s Sharemilkers’ and Sharemilker Employers’ sections. Waikato dairy farmer, Tony Wilding, is the new chair of the Employers Section while Tararua farmer, Neil Filer, has been elected chair of the Federation’s Sharemilkers’ Section.

“The sharemilking system has been a fantastic pathway to farm ownership for us and remains so for many others. Yet today I also see more ways to farm ownership,” says Tony Wilding, chairperson of the Federated Farmers Dairy’s Sharemilker Employers’ Section.

“Farm owners and sharemilkers need to look to the future instead of lamenting the past. As farmers, we need to evolve our businesses to match the changes in the wider industry, which is a terrific but challenging one to be in.

“Before either sharemilkers or farm owners considering the sharemilking system enter into a business relationship, I spend a lot of time with both sides.

“Getting all the detail in sharemilking contracts is just so important these days. It is about due diligence so both are fully aware of where the costs and responsibilities lie. Get it right and both parties flourish,” Mr Wilding added.

Neil Filer, the new Chairperson for the Federated Farmers Dairy’s Sharemilkers’ Section, is passionate about sharemilking and the role it plays in the industry.

“I’ve been through the Sharemilker of the Year as well as the New Zealand Young Farmer of the Year competitions but it was when I attended a Federated Farmers’ Leadership Course that my eyes fully opened to what needs doing,” says Neil Filer.

“I got involved because someone had to look out for the sharemilkers in Tararua where I farm. I took on that role and have progressed up the ranks so to speak.

“The sharemilking system is evolving and we are mindful that pathways to farm ownership will change with it. Yet sharemilking is generally a success because it is a proper business relationship.

“Federated Farmers has to communicate the advantages of sharemilking because for the 2013/14 season in a high growth area like Canterbury, I believe there were just two herd owning sharemilking jobs available.

“I also agree with Tony on the subject of due diligence. Checking out costs, obligations and assumptions before signing up for a sharemilking job saves grief later.

“I would also advise sharemilkers to talk with their accountant, banker, previous sharemilkers and employees of the person on whose farm they will be working. Use the Federated Farmers network to its full extent.

“At the end of the day sharemilking is a business partnership and the more you know about the business and the personalities, the better it is for all-concerned. And, as I always stress to sharemilkers, if you decide to take up the offer never leave the contract unsigned,” Mr Filer concluded.

About Tony Wilding
Tony Wilding, the new Chairperson of Federated Farmers Sharemilker Employers’ Section, reckons he has had it lucky. After gaining a Dip Ag Science, he worked in dairy factories and a brewery, as well as on a dairy farm in the UK. On his return to New Zealand in 1974, he had enough money saved up for a deposit on 120 cows and went straight onto a farm as a Herd Owning Sharemilker. Today, with wife Sally, the Wildings now have their own Herd Owning Sharemilker, milking 320 cows on their 100ha farm in Okoroire, Tirau, in South Waikato. They are also Equity Partners with previously employed Herd Owning Sharemilkers in a 500-cow farm.

About Neil Filer
Neil Filer is the new Chairperson for the Federated Farmers Sharemilkers’ Section. He came to farming through the farm cadet system, progressing through to manager, contract manager, Variable Order Sharemilking and onto Herd Owning Sharemilker. He is now back to being a Variable Order Sharemilker on a 700 cow property in Dannevirke and has just bought a 280 cow farm just up the road, where he is employing a manager. Neil and his wife Veronica have two children, the youngest of which has just started school. Mr Filer coaches his five year old daughter’s rugby team and still finds time to fish and hunt.

ENDS

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