He probably picked up a few tips for the Dairy Industry Awards from his current employer too – 2013 New Zealand Farm Managers of the Year Richard Pearse and Susan Geddes, who are running the 1060-cow Eyrewell conversion property owned by Simon and Carolyn Spencer-Bower.
All Rikki’s dairying experience since he entered the industry in 2012 has been on large-scale farms and next season is no exception as he moves to a neighbouring 950-cow property owned by Mike and Anne Prattley.
The 24-year old is 2IC and relishes the opportunities he’s had to learn from the top farmers he’s worked for already who, as well as Richard Pearse, have included Richard Taylor at Rangitata Dairies and Brett and Jackie O’Sullivan on a 1500-cow farm at Omarama owned by Dave and Karen Ellis.
This is the second time he’s entered the awards and while he was disappointed last year at not receiving a placing he took the judge’s feedback onboard and worked hard to learn new skills in time for this year’s competition.
He’s put effort into his Primary ITO training and is now completing level five production management.
The training, backed up by on-the-job experience and being able to put the theory into practice, is extremely valuable when it comes to progressing in the industry, he says.
The current downturn in returns hasn’t deterred him from pursuing a career in dairying and he sees the industry as offering fantastic opportunities still for those who are willing to put the effort in.
Sharemilking is a medium-term goal and he’s already working on building equity and getting himself in a position to make the most of opportunities.
The awards offer a great way to network with others as well as learn, he says.
Ashburton farm assistant Lauren Wilson, 23, was runner-up while 26-year-old farm assistant Gareth Bearman from Oamaru was third.
