Van Dorsten, 27, manages Tony and Louise Collingwood’s 455-cow 165ha farm at Scown Road, Ōtorohanga.
Ōtorohanga farm manager Zac van Dorsten is the 2025 Waikato Dairy Manager of the Year.
Van Dorsten, who is from Te Awamutu and attended Hamilton Boys’ High School, won $10,523 in prizes at last week’s Dairy Industry Awards after coming third in last year’s competition.
The Collingwoods encouraged Van Dorsten to enter the awards and take courses to continue his professional development.
“There’s also an emphasis on innovation and technology which makes our day-to-day operations easier and minimises work hours,” he said.
He is thrilled to be moving to a contract milking position next season that aligns with his financial, personal and farming goals.
“The New Zealand dairy industry has unique progression opportunities and I’m excited to continue my journey to farm ownership,” says van Dorsten.
“The industry is evolving, and I want to be part of that as we expand and become more innovative to suit the overseas market.”
Ōtorohanga farm manager Oliver Vincent was runner-up in the dairy manager category, bringing home $6,299 in prizes.
Vincent, who attended Te Awamutu College, works on his parents Garry and Angela Vincent’s Haurua Road 260-cow 100ha farm, is passionate about the dairy industry.
“My life is farming. It’s all I really do, or think about,” said the 26-year-old.
They’ve had a tough season, thanks to the drought.
“It’s really not good out here,” he said.
Many had become complacent after two wet summers.
But supplements is the answer.
“With a $10 payout we can chuck a bit more feed in and make it work, but not for too long,” he said. “We are not going to be able to grow any grass for another five or six weeks.”
Vincent is expecting to dry off his herd about three weeks early, as he prepares to go sharemilking on his parents’ farm next season.
He’s looking to enter the share milker category in a few years.
Vincent is thankful the awards introduced him to a wide range of people who he would never have previously met.
“This is how I like to live, and the awards process allowed me to do this with other entrants, judges and sponsors. It also challenged my understanding of my role, the business I work in and our industry and is a great platform for me to learn more in these areas.”
Pirongia farm manager Benjamin Schilt placed third and won $4,554 in prizes. He works on Chris, Emma, John and Anne Poole’s 180ha, 401-cow farm at Pirongia.
Ōtorohanga farm manager Oliver Vincent, pictured with farm dog Billy, is the 2025 Waikato Dairy Manager of the Year runner-up.
