Pirongia farmer Kirwyn Ellis is the New Zealand dairy trainee of the year and Ngāhinapōuri’s Logan and Sian Dawson runners up in the share farmer of the year competition.
They were presented with their awards at the New Zealand Dairy Industry awards in Queenstown on Saturday night.
Logan and Sian Dawson with their awards at the New Zealand Dairy Industry competition. Photo: Supplied.
Other awards went to Will Hinton and Kali Rangiawha from Manawatū who won the share farmers’ title, Northland’s Kieran McCahon the dairy manager winner, James and Debbie Stewart from Manawatū who won the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award, while Paul and Sarah Koopal from Central Plateau won the CowManager cow monitoring system for three years.
Judges described Ellis as a relaxed, thoughtful and mature young man who ‘soaks up knowledge like a sponge’ from those around him.
Kirwyn has a genuine care for those in the community around him and takes his role as kaitiakitanga very seriously, they said. He is herd manager for Hamish and Sheree Germann on their 130ha property at Pirongia milking 475 cows.
“Kirwyn has soaked up all the knowledge from those around him and now wants to follow that up with some formal qualifications from PrimaryITO,” says judge Johanna Wood from Manawatū.
“He felt it was important to have the practical understanding before he learnt the theoretical,” she said.
“Kirwyn is a strong team player, and his heart is with his community,” says head judge Mark Laurence from DairyNZ.
“He was a consistent top achiever across all categories, and I’ve got no doubt he will represent the industry very well with his new title.”
The judges noted Kirwyn was methodical thinker and can articulate effectively.
“He has the ability to communicate with others very clearly, both receiving information and passing it on.
“He’s got a very good work life balance and is into biking and rugby and lots of other outdoor activities,” notes judge Enda Hawe from Rakaia.
“He has very supportive owners that give him the time off to do these activities.”
Kirwyn won the Federated Farmers General Farming Knowledge Award, the DeLaval Community and Industry Involvement Award and the Craigmore Farms Best Video Award, along with nearly $12,000 in prizes.
The judges say it is obvious Kirwyn is a down-to-earth farmer who genuinely cares for everyone around him.
“He’s got pride in the industry, and he makes you have pride in the industry,” says Enda.
“He’s a very good role model for the industry.
“He stood out clearly amongst a group of excellent finalists.”
The judges say the dairy trainee national finalists come from a variety of backgrounds and have faced different challenges.
The Dawsons were change makers – “they are continuously looking for more efficient ways and accurate ways to do things,” judges said.
Logan and Sian are equity partners and 50/50 share milkers for Jim and Sue van der Poel on their 333ha, 1350-cow farm in Ngāhinapōuri.
They won two merit awards: the Federated Farmers Leadership Award and the Honda Farm Safety, Health and Biosecurity Award and over $28,000 in total prizes.
The judges were impressed by Logan’s development of spreadsheets and processes which are now used across other farms in the business and his use of GPS on feed bins which is monitored daily.
“Logan and Sian are on a large-scale, high input system five farm and are guiding a lot of people, adding another level of complexity,” notes judge Steve Canton from DairyNZ.
“Through the use of technology and careful monitoring, they are really getting the most out of what they do.”
Pirongia farmer Kirwyn Ellis, pictured, was named New Zealand dairy trainee of the year at a glitzy awards ceremony in Queenstown on Saturday night. And Ngāhinapōuri sharefarmers Logan and Sian Dawson were runners up in the share farmers section. Photo: Supplied.
