The Onewhero couple are 55% sharemilking 300 cows on 115ha comprised of land they have committed to buy from Bryce’s father Bill Costar and 40ha bought by Bryce 18 years ago.
It was the third time they had entered the awards, placing third in both the previous years.
“The awards give you a much stronger understanding of what drives your business and what areas you do well and what you could improve on,”
Rosemarie, 42, a former marketing manager for an equestrian supply company, said.
Bryce, 49, began sharemilking on his father’s farm 28 years ago and the couple, who married in 2004, have discovered a counter-balance in their abilities.
“Bryce is level-headed and well-considered as a farmer and that rubs off on me and I get a little more open and social and that helps bring Bruce out,” Rosemarie said.
She was recently elected to the Waikato District Council.
They have together bought a 43ha runoff as a separate land investment and hope to extend the milking platform to help achieve the dual goal of farm ownership and a sound succession plan for their children Jack, 7, and Isabelle, 5.
Milk quality has been a key area of importance as they supply raw milk to Mercer Cheese.
On the farm they have invested their own money in improving the farm dairy effluent system, metering water use and planting streams.
They also won the Ecolab Farm Dairy Hygiene Award, Federated Farmers Leadership Award, Meridian Energy Farm Environment Award, Triplejump Risk Management Award and Westpac Business Performance Award.
Runners-up were Evan and Jan Billington, 50:50 sharemilking at Ngatea, who won the BlackmanSpargo Legal Audit Award, DairyNZ Human Resources Award, Honda Farm Safety and Health Award and Ravensdown Pasture Performance Award. Third placed were Thames 50:50 sharemilkers Mathew and Jemma Morrissey who won the Nick Hoogeveen and Associates Strategic Planning Award.
