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The Real World... Young farmers who are furthering their careers in the dairy industry.
Sarah Poppleton
- Age: 20
- Job: Agriscience Student
- Area: Massey University
“Farming’s more like a business nowadays. It’s not just the practical aspect anymore, you’ve got to know the whys and the hows.”
Murray Perks
- Age: 21
- Job Title: Consulting Officer
- Area: Canterbury
“Try and get some practical experience on a farm. I think people suit different farm systems – it’s just a matter of going out there and finding what suits you.”
Click here for moreTony Fischer
- Age: 25
- Job Title: Farm Manager
- Area: Te Pahu
“I like being outside and I like working with the animals. It beats being in an office. You’re your own boss really.”
Click here for moreEllis Evens
- Age: 19
- No. of cows: 400
- Job: Farm Assistant
- Area: Te Pahu
“The job is pretty flexible I’m able to hit the slopes at Whakapapa every second weekend. I even get to miss the crowds with the option of taking a Sunday/Monday off.”
Click here for moreFletcher Fraser
- Age: 21
- Job: Farm assistant
- Area: Huntly, Waikato
“Try relief milking to see if farming’s for you. I did half a season on my girlfriend’s uncle’s dairy farm when I was 17. If you know someone in the industry, approach them about a job and get work experience.”
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Rink Tacoma
- Age: 20
- Job: Student
- Area: Palmerston North
“Go into a hall. You’ll meet lots more people that way.”
“If you get all your work done during the week, you can have a break on the weekend and make the most of it.”
Click here for moreSam Hislop
- Age: 18
- Job: Student/farm worker
- Area: Hawarden, Canterbury
“It just seems like a booming industry to be involved in!”
Click here for moreCole Groves
- Age: 21
- Job: Farm manager
- Area: Dunsandel, Canterbury
“When I was about seven we went to stay with my aunty who’s a sharemilker in the Waikato. I got a taste for it and from then on I was really into it. You could say I caught the dairy bug!”
Click here for moreJulia Lee
- Age 27
- Job DairyNZ PhD student
- Degree Bachelor of Science
“I have learnt some really cool techniques – like the ones on CSI.”
“I was born and bred in the city, but I love working in the dairy industry. It’s great to be able to get outdoors.”
Click here for moreAlex Moore
- Age 24
- Job ASB rural manager
- Degree Bachelor of Applied Science and a Graduate Diploma in Rural Studies
“I love the culture of the dairy industry. You’re doing what you love..."
“My job consists of helping farmers with their financial needs from buying a new farm to being supportive in tough times, like the drought.”
Click here for moreUrsula Bruce
- Age 24
- Job Large animal vet – Tirau Vet Clinic
- Degree Bachelor of Veterinary Science
“Being a vet is a really satisfying job.”
“You get to see animals recover from disease and injury and also help farmers improve their production through whole herd animal health programmes.”
Click here for moreZoe Pow
- Age 21
- Job Ravensdown account manager
- Degree Bachelor of Science - Agriculture and Animal Science
Zoe Pow has had her share of stink jobs, including cleaning hotel rooms in the central North Island.
Luckily Zoe graduated from uni and now loves her job as a fertiliser representative for Waikato dairy farmers.
Click here for moreRichard Snell
- Age 24
- Job DairyNZ consulting officer
- Degree Bachelor of Agricultural Science
“You are there to help farmers meet their goals.”
Richard Snell knew from a young age he wanted to be involved in the dairy industry.
Click here for moreBaz Nelis
- Age: 21
- Job: Sharemilker
- Area: Tirau, Waikato
“The water which passes through the land is not ours, so we have to protect it. It also helps New Zealand’s image, which is good for selling our product overseas.”
Click here for moreJessica Judd
- Age 19
- Job Title Farm assistant
- Area Atiamuri East
- No. of cows 320 cows
“I love being outside. And I just love animals too.”
As with all dairy farms, the busiest times of year for Jessica are during the calving season. Yet, when it comes to socialising, Jessica doesn’t feel like she misses out.
Click here for moreCheck me out on BeboTony Janssen
- Age 19
- Job Title Lower-order sharemilker
- Area South Waikato
- No. of cows 450 cows
“Every day is different. I’m never bored.”
“I chose farming as a career because I can get ahead quickly and move forward. You get lots of opportunities. I want to own my own farm one day.”
Click here for moreCheck me out on BeboShaun Gardner
- Age 20
- Job Title Lower-order sharemilker
- Area Reporoa
- No. of cows 200 cows
“Set personal goals. Apply yourself 110%.”
Shaun has set up the Roturua Young Farmers Club: “I’ve done it because it’s a good thing to put back into the community...”
Click here for moreCheck me out on BeboBrad Lewis
- Age 22
- Job Title Herd manager
- Area Canterbury
- No. of cows 1380 cows
“To get extra pay you have to perform.”
Brad grew up on an asparagus farm and after doing a bit of relief milking during his school years, he decided to study further.
Click here for moreCheck me out on BeboFiona Mathis
- Age 21
- Job Title Graduate environmental officer
- Area Invercargill
“I'm not stuck at the office all day.”
Thousands of litres of milk are processed at Fonterra every day and it’s Fiona’s job to check the production plant's wastewater doesn’t harm the environment.
Click here for moreCheck me out on Bebo