Leading young farmer down south hails from Stratford

• Published date: 10 April 2024
• Author: Alyssa Smith
• Publication title: Stratford Press

Monique Radford, 22, who hails from Stratford, recently won the Canterbury/ North Otago Trainee of the Year award at the Canterbury/North Otago Industry Awards. Monique also won the Communications and Engagement and the DairyNZ Practical Skills awards

“It is an amazing feeling. I feel proud and excited for what the future holds.”

During the competition, Monique completed eight modules based on farm work.

“We had to mix calf milk powder, do a tractor pre-start check, a module on metabolic issues for cows, put a milking cluster together, weed identification, take a quad tyre off and a general knowledge quiz. We also had a fun task, which was balloon animal making.”

After completing the modules, she advanced to the interview round.

“The interview is half about your career aspirations, community involvement, training and industry awareness, and the other half is about dairy farm knowledge. We had to prepare a CV and planning wheel describing our future aspirations.”

Monique grew up in Stratford on dairy farms.

“My parents currently run two dairy farms. One is in Midhirst, which my dad runs and is a 200 cow 50/50 sharemilking job. My mum is running my grandparents’ farm, which they are leasing just out of Stratford.”

She says living on farms inspired her to study for a Bachelor of Agriculture Science at Massey University after completing her secondary education at Taranaki Diocesan School for Girls.

“I have always been...