Fresh Magazine

ee 2009 issue thr

h s e r f voice of the dairy industry

How to survive your first year a t u n i Rink Tacoma shares her top tips pg7 Leading the way

Baz Nelis takes us on a tour of his environmentally friendly farm

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Girl pppoletown geivers u!s a Sarah Po female perspective pg5 .nz

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From competition winner to dairy farmer Sam Hislop tells us his story

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Get a taste for it! Tips on how to get into the dairy industry

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voice of the dairy industry

Fresh gets up close and personal We travelled around New Zealand to talk to more young people making a life for themselves in the dairy industry. In this issue, you’ll read the stories of six very different people. Find out what it’s like to be a female farmer – is it harder or easier? Sarah Poppleton’s answers will surprise you! For Fletcher Fraser it’s always been a dream to be a farmer. Check out his story on the back page. We’ve also got tips on how to survive your first year at uni, more about the Young Farmers club and lots of information on different agricultural courses and training centres. An interesting thing that came out of our interviews was that a lot of people started their careers by doing relief milking. If you’d like to find out what it’s like to be a dairy farmer, why not give it a go? Ask a farmer living near you if he needs any extra help during the busy season, or just check out the back page of this issue for more hints and tips. Overall we noticed how much every person we spoke to just loves their job. We hope this issue will encourage you to go out and find your dream job in the dairy industry! Till next time, The team at Fresh P.S. Remember, we’re here to help, so if you have any questions about working in the dairy industry just drop us an email at

[email protected]

r e rm fa y ir a d to r e n in w n o ti ti e From coma depsk inspired Sam to get a career in the dairy industry pg3 How blowing up

Farm vs cfaitrmyerliCofe le Groves tells us his story City boy turned Plus uni options pg4

Girl Powe’sr!views on the dairy industry

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Sarah Poppleton ral Training Centre and PLUS info on Taratahi Agricultu Telford Rural Polytechnic

e way k after the Leading th farmers should loo Baz tells us why AgITO pg 6 environment PLUS info about

fe Student Li iversity e lowdown on life at Massey Un Rink gives us th first year at uni pg 7 PLUS top tips for surviving your

dream Fraser Living theassis pg 8 tant Fletcher

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“It just seems like a booming industry to be involved in!”

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et Fresh G e th f o r e n in w y e luck Sam Hislop was th that experience id d w o h o S . n o ti competi “Blow up a desk” airy industry? d in b jo a t e g to inspire him

lege, which means him. He was dux of Hurunui Col of ad ahe re futu at gre a has At 18, Sam Fresh competition eer options. But winning the Get car of ge ran a from pick his he can take dairy industry could do for him. really opened his eyes to what the which encouraged part of the Get Fresh campaign was ition pet com k” des a up w The “Blo . As the competition and get a job in the dairy industry young Kiwis to get out the office to Auckland where they trip aid an all-expenses-p yed enjo n Rya nd frie his and winner, Sam live dynamite! blew up an office desk with real, dairy industry. Sam to find out more about the The Get Fresh campaign inspired y industry but Get always a bit interested in the dair “Having grown up on a farm, I was Z scholarship ryN Dai the ut ortunities. I found out abo Fresh opened me up to new opp . I like the idea of stry indu the in what other people do ut abo re mo and site web the through there as well. It s like there are some great jobs look stry indu the ng vici ser ple other peo to be involved in!” just seems like a booming industry also applied for study a B.Com Ag degree and he’s to oln Linc to off ’s Sam r yea So this he was still anxiously ship. When we met up with him, olar sch e uat rad erg und Z ryN the Dai ship. waiting to hear about the scholar dad’s farm over er his belt, Sam’s working on his und nce erie exp al ctic pra e som To get cows one day and farm means he could be chasing on jobs of rsity dive The r. me the sum k it’s hard work? t does he say to people who thin wha So . day t nex the tor trac a driving can go places.” a fun job, pretty cruisy and you “They’re soft! It’s not too hard. It’s are not sure if it’s who want to give it a go but who se tho for ice adv d goo has Sam also for them. re are any jobs go from there. Ask a farmer if the and ing milk f relie Try in! k stuc “Just get website for more information.” going or check out the Get Fresh

The good life

For those who think a farmer’s hard work life is all , think aga in . Sam and farm work the other ers often h ead off to Hotel at lu the Hurunu nch time ju i st a few m the road to inutes dow enjoy this n historic pu famous ga b’s world me pies. Sam says th e hours can be lon the time - the guys sometim g but you’re not on farm all es knock off at lunchtime for a bit of fis , and after w hing ork they’ll oft enjoy a casu en play rugb al barbie. Mo y and unt Lyford is in winter Sam only an hour and his mate away, so s go skiing. S never a dull eems like the moment in th re’s e life of a farm they love wh er. It’s no wo at they do! nder

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STOP PRESS - STOP PRES S - STOP PR We found out ESS - STOP P just as we we RESS - STOP CONGRATULAT nt to print tha PRESS - STO IONS SAM! t Sam got his P PRESS DairyNZ Unde rgraduate Sc holarship. DAI 4558 Mag Issue 3 v4.indd 4

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pursue a career in to ty ci g bi e th of s ht lig ht brig What’s it like leaving the y. le Groves shares his stor Co r de an kl uc -A Ex g? in dairy door. Lots of staff way to get your foot in the

great coln rs have been through Lin members and employe .” CV ve on your so it’s a good name to ha of flack Cole naturally got a bit Coming from Auckland, at uni. ne ng for a while but everyo “I got the whole ‘Jafa’ thi soon got over it!” nt of a DairyNZ Cole was the lucky recipie which meant his first ship Undergraduate Scholar eet! paid for him – pretty sw re we n tio tui of ars four ye use ho a in ys of perks – he sta and Today he enjoys plenty m far the d un aro e to ride rent-free, gets a motorbik ffic every day. doesn’t have to sit in tra d the around 4.30pm, Cole an When they finish up at river, the wn do ing ng or tub other workers go swimmi Cole’s of e on – g tin oo sh n pigeo jetboating or even clay favourite hobbies. what did job he really loves. But Looks like he’s found a choice of career? s have to say about his nd frie city his iry make the transition to da So, how does a city boy en I said I was going to “They were shocked wh farmer? even more shocked dairy farmer, but they’re a me co be at ch I earn!” ultural Science degree when I tell them how mu “I did a Bachelor of Agric part-time work here for the ing Lincoln and I’ve been do lly through Lincoln is a rea ing Go s. on as last three se

his Cole, he’s just finishing When we meet up with lls era ov in d se es Dr . on ssi early morning milking se lking mi the in g very at home and gumboots and lookin t he used to be a city boy. s tha shed, you’d never gues r. He already a farm manage At 21 years old, Cole is under ng rki wo and has five staff looks after 1100 cows, job his es tak ibility and he him. It’s a lot of respons seriously. r is to look after the farm “My role as farm manage rk to staff. I also do milking wo day-to-day and delegate twice a day.” s intenance and other job That’s along with any ma t ge le Co did w farm. So ho that need to be done on ? ustry interested in the dairy ind n we went to stay with my te “When I was about seve t a tas lker in the Waikato. I go auntie who’s a sharemi uld say co u Yo it. o int lly was rea for it and from then on I I caught the dairy bug!”

Cole Groves

JOB: Farm Manage r AREA: Dunsandel, Canterbury

PROS: • More time to yourself • Free house • No rent • Motorbike provided by the boss • No petrol costs • No traffic • Spending time outdoors

CONS: • Missing city friends – but they can come and visit. (Who knows, maybe they’ll get a taste for farm life and love it too!)

Uni options Waikato University s facilities ikato has first-clas  Waikato has The University of Wa you space to think. es giv d an y pla d to help you work an t atmosphere.    a relaxed, chilled ou ato.ac.nz TO,  visit www.waik IKA WA Contact: 0800 .nz ac to. or email info@waika

Hamilton

rsity

Massey Unive

Palmerston North

est premier and larg is New Zealand’s d rth an l No ra on ltu st cu er rti lm ho Massey Pa , agricultural, es nc ie sc e lif e institution for th hing. veterinary teac SSEY, text 5222, Contact: 0800 MA sey.ac.nz or visit www.mas massey.ac.nz t@ ac nt email co Christchurch

Lincoln University Lincoln University is one of New Zealand’s oldest universities and has a strong focus on agriculture.  Lincoln is based on the outskirts of Christchurch and has a relaxed campus surrounded by dairy farms.   Contact: 0800 10 60 10, text 8999, visit www.lincoln.ac.nz or email [email protected]

Visit getfresh.co.nz and click on “Studies” for more info.

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leton tells us pp Po h ra Sa , ed in rm te de d an ly bb bu , Bright industry. iry da e th in d ea ah ng tti ge e ar en om why w ager an M rd He t an st si As n, to le pp Po h Sara How did you get into farming? d to My stepdad is in the army, so when he got poste acre five a on Linton we all moved up there and lived als lifestyle block. That’s where I learned to love anim e befor them with ct conta much because I didn’t have on ing work d starte I and n, Foxto to d move that. We then I that ed decid I our neighbour’s dairy farm. That’s when wanted to become a farmer.

What training did you do? a year I went to Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre for cate. certifi 4 and a half and gained my level 2, 3 and ed for. I then looked for a job and got the first one I appli I’m uni. to go to ed decid I year, a After I’d been there more learn can I so e degre e cienc AgriS an going to study side ess busin the about grass growth, science stuff and le and of things. It’s also a good way to meet lots of peop ing! learn like really just I make contacts. Plus

Is it harder for women to work their way up in the dairy industry? point of It’s actually easier for a woman! From a boss’s e, and natur their in calm more be to view, women tend ally girls Norm . more lot a ment equip and als respect anim into falling just than want to become a dairy farmer rather e you’r if ugh, Altho . boys of it which happens to quite a lot to have do you , guys g youn of le working with a coup prove yourself!

Is there anything you can’t do on farm? push When I first started I couldn’t pick up a calf. I could on I seas g calvin the of end the by but them onto a trailer older the could pick them up. I wasn’t as fast as many of I was men who had been doing it for 40 years, but if e as me I rienc expe and age working with guys the same up! could definitely keep

Are you a girly girl or a tomboy? say: I can be a bit of both – sometimes I’m a girl and times other and that!” touch “Oooh yuck, I don’t want to I’m like: and mind don’t I dirt, in red cove when I’m already it!” do and up “Just hurry

Do you know many women in the dairy industry?

so At one time on our farm there were four females, have we ent mom the it’s not too male dominated. At the two sheds – two girls in one shed, two boys in shed girls’ the but n etitio comp a of bit other. It’s a definitely runs better than the boys’ shed!

What should you wear to work? Don’t go on the farm without overalls and always wear a hat.

What qualities do you need to do your job? the Reliability – you need to be able to wake up in on living for liking a have also ld shou You mornings. the land and riding bikes and stuff.

Are you expected to be one of the boys? Not really, sometimes the guys are like, don’t worry I’ll carry that, and I’m just like, well that’s not going to help me later! The only way to help me grow muscles is if I do it myself.

What is the most common farming myth? People always assume the cows poo on me – it’s not true!

Do you have any advice for the girls out there wanting to get into farming? For me, going to Taratahi was good because it meant I could develop my skills before proving myself to everyone else. Or just find a good farm that’s willing to teach you - if there’s another girl on the farm that probably helps.

Agricultural Training Centres

nic is New Zealand’s TELFORD - Telford Rural Polytech is tre Cen ning Trai l tura icul which provides Taratahi - Taratahi Agr only specialist rural polytechnic l education centres, dge and skills to wle kno of one of New Zealand’s leading rura nce students with a bala land , rses cou ing train further studying. offering full-time agriculture apply to career opportunities or . mes ram prog ay atew R/G STA based short courses and of rolling South Otago Telford is situated on 850 hectares pa. rara Wai the in n terto Mas r nea lutha, with sheep and The Centre is based farmland just five minutes from Balc 0 6,00 over with t, men iron env ning well as apiculture It offers a unique lear beef, dairy, deer and equine units as hostel tial den resi fully a , land farm cial hectares of commer and forestry blocks. hing areas. and significant well-resourced teac ure you gain skills ustry Telford’s 37-week programme will ens in eddwith y ster regi ir is tre a Cen ing d Train ral able and effective cap cultu e Taratahi Agri th ority as a training to be a progressive farmer or a very e in r u t u f Auth s tion a lifica Qua t stry. land indu the New Zea ge employee in the wider agricultural r selected units of establishment. It is accredited to offe is available. On campus student accommodation tions framework in learning from the national qualifica es and grants apply. anc allow s, Scholarships, student loan s.  skill ed -bas land y man and agriculture rse fees that are Please enquire about the zero cou provide students with will tahi Tara at ken erta in the Clutha District is und e y hom stud All offered to students whose recognised qualifications lly ona nati rds towa rses. its cou cred time able full valu and have enrolled on our ry for a successful essa nec s skill and ge wled kno the and Visit getfresh.co.nz and click on career in farming.

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Sarah Poppleton

JOB: Assistant He rd Manager AREA: Palmerston North

“For me, going to Taratahi was good because it meant I could develop my skills before proving myself to everyone else.”

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y a w e h t g Leadin Preserving the environment

Practising sustainability

Baz showing us his en efficient water whee ergy l.

Providing plentifu l resources for future genera tions

What is AgITO? Agriculture ITO learning is practical, and focused on CAN DO - meaning learners know how to do the job, and they can do it. This sets out learning and skill programmes for people who want to make dairying their career. There are also programmes for those ready to take steps into management, contracting or sharemilking.  

CAN DO qualifications

Baz Nelis

the Baz talking about ent importance of nutri . ng budgeti

JOB: Sharemilke r AREA: Tirau, Waika to

Tirau with 500 cows. He in rm fa ha 0 18 a ns ru lis Ne z Ba , At 21 ent and his staff onto the brought his herd, his own equipm t of the farm. en em ag an m l al er ov e th r te af s ok farm and lo So how did Baz get into dairy farming? “When I left school I wasn’t too keen on training, so I did AgITO which is a correspondence course – every second week I went to a class which taught me everything about farming. I’ve done it over four years, and now I’m going for the big diploma of agriculture.”

and fertiliser from leaching into the water. This keeps the waterways free from pollution and encourages bird life and aquatic life, which gives Baz an excuse to go swimming and fishing with his mates!

How does it feel to be the boss at such a young age?

Water wheel

Baz has a water wheel on his farm which provides free energy to get the water from the stream into the cow shed. Not only does it look good, but it saves money too!

Staying Alive: National Certificate in

“It’s a good feeling,” he says. “Especially to have older people working under me. It can be a lot of work but it’s very rewarding.”

Dairy Farming: National Certificate in Agriculture, Dairy Farming (Level 2)

As a boss, Baz wants to see more young people joining the dairy industry. And he believes the rewards are worth it.

Nutrient budgeting involves testing the soil to check the balance of nutrients in the soil. Baz gets a nutrient budget done on his farm to ensure that there is not too much nitrogen in the soil, as this can leach into waterways and pollute the water.

Dairy Breeding: National Certificate in

“If you’re a hard goer and you’re real keen you can get into big positions quickly.”

Education

Agriculture (Introductory Skills)

Agriculture, Dairy Cattle or Beef Cattle Breeding (Level 3)

Dairy Health and Husbandry: National

Certificate in Dairy Farming, Animal Health and Husbandry (Level 3)

Feeding and Pastures: National

Certificate in Agriculture, Animal Feeding and Pastures (Level 3)

Milking: National Certificate in Dairy

The environment is a big issue for farmers these days and Baz is making sure he’s doing his bit. It’s obvious his efforts have paid off – the farm is beautiful and green with fresh, clear streams and rivers running through it. That’s all thanks to his sustainable farming practices. To show us how it all works, he took us on a tour around the farm.

Nutrient budgeting

Baz has won his fair share of environment awards and also attended the Dairy Industry Environment Leadership Forum to become more knowledgeable about the environment and how it all works.

Waterway management

Baz has planted native shrubs along streams and rivers on the property to help prevent erosion and excess nutrients from cow manure

Farming, Milking (Level 3)

Level 4 & 5 qualifications Visit getfresh.co.nz and click on “Studies” for more info.

ent Baz’s equipm Vs, four wheelers,

In his job Baz rides AT s. And when tractors and two wheeler es off farm he’s not busy, he often go ride in his 4X4! during the day for a trail

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Student life Rink Tacoma is about to embark on her second year at uni wh ere she’s studying a Bachelor of Science . We caught up with her at Plant and Food Research where she’s been working fo r two months during her summer break. Tell us about your first year at

uni.

I would do first year again anytime! The studies were hard but you learn how to balance it with sport and partying.

What made you decide to go to Massey? I had a choice between Ma ssey and Lincoln but Masse further from home and I de y was cided to “fly the nest”. I live d in the halls in my first year, it wa s very cool having all that freedom and I made the coolest frie nds!

Tell us about the week in th e life of a uni student.

On Monday I start at 9am, go day and finish at around 5p for lectures and labs the whole m – or sometimes 9pm if I have a late lab. Then I do a bit of studying. That’s the sam e story till Thursday, and then we all go out partying. It makes Friday mornings quite hard! On Fridays nights I usually go up north with the Alpine Club, go clim bing and get back on Sund ay.

So how did you get to this po int? In 2007 I did a science fair project with the help of Plant and Food and enter ed it into the Canterbury Science Fair. I did well an d DairyNZ approached me about applying for the ir Undergraduate Scholarship.

What have you been doing he re at Plant and Food Research?

I’ve been working with sci entists on projects and see ing

How does your job help dairy farmers? Scientists do the groundw ork and

what it’s like to be a scien tist.

research which helps dairy farmers stay at the top of their game.

What do you enjoy the most?

Working out the method, finding a result in the end and passing on your knowle and I like the challenge of dge. I enjoy the team work it.

Have you got any advice for people who want to follow in your

foot

steps? I worked hard at school che mistry, physics and biolog y plus calculus and Englis Bachelor of Science. Taking h and this route provides lots of opportunities and keeps you I’m studying a you can specialise later in your studies or your caree r options open so that r.

Rink’s top tips for surviving your first year at uni

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Go into a hall

You’ll meet lots more people that way . Rink is flatting this year with people she met in the halls last year.

Apply for a DairyNZ Undergraduate Scholarship

Rink’s getting her tuition paid for than ks to DairyNZ. To see if you qualify for a scholarship, visit www.getfresh.co.nz and click on “Studies”.

Be really keen to meet people

Just remember, all the other first years are new too, so don’t be shy and mingle!

Work hard during the week

If you get all your work done during the week, you can have a break on the weekend and make the most of it.

Sign up to clubs and go to events you enjoy

g It’s a great way to meet people while doin the to ngs belo Rink ! love the things you Alpine Club and goes climbing, tramping and skiing on weekend trips.

What are your plans for the future? I’ve got two years of studyi ng left, then I want to travel. When I come ba ck I’d like to study further or get a job in the animal science field.

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m a e r d e h Living t was a shepherd and it’s er th fa s Hi . er as Fr er ch et Fl Meet eam to be a dairy farmer. dr od ho ild ch s hi en be s alway nuary 2008 and Ja e nc si t an st si as rm fa Fletch has been a he’s loving every minute!

Job qualities:

You need to be reliable, not afraid to do long hours and be good with animals.

Fun stuff:

A typical doauyt: 4:45am milk, do

I like rugby, socialising, partying and I generally go out every second week.

I get up ab the farm and milk d work aroun fternoon. a e th again in

Friends and family:

Perks of the job:

They’re pretty rapt I’m working in such a great industry!

I just love being out in the fresh air!

Job opportunities:

I’ve grown with the business. My bosses recently moved from a smaller farm with 270 cows, and now they’re on a bigger one with 535 cows. One of the reasons they took the bigger job was because my mate and I moved with them. Employers are always looking for reliable workers.

Meet people in the dairy industry at Young Farmers

At the moment I am a Farm Assistant, but in the future I am planning on being a Herd Manager, with more responsibility.

is a New Zealand Young Farmers nes ton is social organisation which . ple peo of fun with down to earth and y ntit Each club has its own ide a national community spirit, backed by for nds frie organisation. You make and al son life and develop your per pation practical skills through partici and achievement.

My boss said I will go far in the industry and this is definitely what I want to do with my life!

Dreams and ambitions:

To eventually own my own farm.

Practical/Personal Benefits:

t studying: Studying vs nobu t I think practical

You can study, relief ly important. Try I did experience is real u. farming’s for yo milking to see if y girlfriend’s uncle’s m half a season on as 17. If you know w I dairy farm when ch them industry, approa someone in the t work experience. ge about a job and

Fletcher Fraser

JOB: Farm Assistan t AREA: Huntly

Technical/Agribusiness Benefits:

Get a taste for it!

• Public Speaking • Interview Experience • International Travel • Meeting Procedure Training • Leadership Training • Business Development • Financial Management

If you want to try out the dairy industry to see if it’s for you, why not try relief milking for a season or two?

Visit www.youngfarmers.co.nz to find your nearest club.

As a relief milker you’ll help out with general dairy farm jobs such as milking, herd control, plant preparation and cleaning plus you’ll have the opportunity to develop your management skills.

Check out jobs now at www.GoDairy.co.nz

See us in action online at www.getfresh.co.nz

Fresh Magazine Private Bag 3221 Hamilton , New Zealand [email protected]

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If you want to find out more about all the opportunitie s available to you in the dairy industry, just visit our webs ite. There’s lots of useful inform ation and more profiles of young people working in th e dairy industry today.

• Social Interaction • Personal Exposure s • Network of Contacts/Friend n sio res • Creative Exp • Problem Solving • Best Industry Practice • Farm Safety • Fencing ement • Planning & Logistical Manag • 4WD Training • Stock Judging

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