West Coast Dairy Winners

• Published date: 10 April 2024
• Publication title: West Coast Farming Times, The

Michael and Cheryl Shearer were announced winners of the region's Share Farmer of the Year Category at the annual awards dinner held in Shantytown on Saturday night

The other big winners were Trinity Jackson, who was named the 2024 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager of the Year, and Alexandra Davidson, the 2024 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Trainee of the Year.

The Shearers run a very tight ship that is sustainable and profitable in all pay-outs and say the once-a-day system allows for time out of the shed and off the farm.

"It's important to be able to give your mind a rest from the farm as this helps to keep your head and thoughts clear and remind you what is really important."

They are 50/50 share milkers on Russell Andrews' 225ha Reefton farm milking 500 cows. They won $8000 in prizes and four merit awards.

Michael was named 2014 Taranaki Farm Manager of the Year and in 2012 he placed third in the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competition after winning the West Coast Top of the South regional title.

He credits his previous awards experiences with increasing his job opportunities and career progression as well as confidence and networking.

Michael and Cheryl have faced a few challenges over the past few seasons, including the 2019 Tasman Forest fire which saw them evacuating their cows and farm for two weeks.

"We returned to a fairly destroyed farm and a few years later lost 25% of our milking platform for 6 months in the 2022 Rai Valley floods."

The Shearers maintain a positive outlook and see challenges as an opportunity to work out positive solutions.

"I actually enjoy the hard times as they drive you to better your business and find diff erent options and ways of doing things," Michael said.

"Long term we'd like to own a few farms that we can utilise to help young people into farm ownership."

The runners-up in the Share Farmer category are Warric and Rachel Johnson who are contract milkers for Phil andJocelyn Riley on their 375ha, 1100-cow Tapawera property. They won $3500 and three merit awards.

Third placegetter in the Share Farmer category was awarded to Mark and Esther Tubman who are contract milkers for John and Anne Freeman, on their 150ha, 345-cow Takaka property.

The second-time entrants placed third in the same category last year. They won $3500 and one merit award.

The winner of the 2024 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager of the Year category is Trinity Jackson, who describes herself as a converted townie.

...