Winner surrounded by winners

WINNER SURROUNDED BY WINNERS

The 2011 Hawkes Bay Wairarapa Dairy Trainee of the Year, Ben Smith, has been quick to surround himself with winners to help progress his career.

Mr Smith was one of three winners announced at last night’s regional Dairy Industry Awards dinner held in Masterton. Central Hawkes Bay sharemilkers Richard and Joanna Greaves won the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year title and Dannevirke contract milkers Bradley and Chantelle McNaughton won the Farm Manager of the Year competition.

Mr Smith, aged 23, won $5500 and is currently a farm assistant for 2010 New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year Carwyn Monteith, now farming in partnership with wife Michelle. He previously worked for the Greaves.

Although he has been in the dairy industry for less than two years, this was the second time he had entered the awards.

“The awards provide opportunities to challenge myself and get involved with some of the industry leaders – this has proved invaluable. The people you meet through the stages of the event not only inspire you but also push and drive you.

“I think the competition has given me a clear direction and the contacts to enable me to progress.”

Mr Smith, who is married to Chloe, began farming as a shepherd on a sheep and beef property in 2008.

“After a year-and-half and with our daughter on the way Chloe and I weighed up our options and decided that in order to progress in farming we needed to move into the dairy industry.”

They took a position with the Greaves and, after a year, moved to their current position to gain a different farming perspective and management style from the Monteiths.

The Smiths plan to own their own farm one day, using the various steps available in the dairy industry to progress and build equity.

“Through our interest and determination to grow and achieve our goals, we have already used the dairy industry to greatly improve our situation and I can now say I am definitely dairy for life!”

Mr Smith will progress to the national final of the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year in Queenstown on May 14, where he has the opportunity to take home more cash and prizes.

The Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner Agriculture ITO.

Featherston farm assistant Dyana Barnes placed second in the region’s Dairy Trainee of the Year contest, winning $500 in cash and prizes. Third place went to Norsewood farm assistant Christopher Klee, who won $150.

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