Friday, March 29, 2024

Sharemilking by 25

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Sam Hughson fell for dairy farming when he was a schoolboy staying with family friends in Taranaki and is now poised to take on the role of being their farm manager next season.
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The winning 2016 Taranaki dairy assistant has progressed to 2IC on the 810-cow high-input farm at Auroa, south Taranaki, in just three years in the industry.

After winning Most Promising Entrant in the 2015 he was thrilled to have won the DNZ Practical Skills Award and taken out first place this year.

The 19-year-old loves the challenges farming offers. He has already completed Level 2 Milk Quality and Level 3 Health and Husbandry, and Feeding and Pastures, through Primary ITO and is about to start Level 4 Pasture Management in anticipation of his new role.

As manager he will be younger than the other four staff but says he is confident knowing how the farm runs.

“If the farm owner thinks I can do it, then I’ll manage,” Sam says.

Sam enjoyed the challenge of road cycling at school, but now plays cricket and rugby and loves to get out on his Husquvarna 350 trailbike at the weekends. But the bike is his only indulgence. He says he’s very focused on being a good saver and reaching his goal of 50:50 sharemilking by the time he is 25.

“I don’t have a flash ute or wifi, and only Sky Sport. I am very disciplined with savings.

“I want to stay here as long as I can to learn as much as possible, but I told my boss I want to progress as far as I can.”

The only part he doesn’t enjoy since living on his own on the farm is cooking “but it has to be done”, and a crockpot, a rice cooker and a freezer full of beef gets him through.

The DIA experience has been great for getting his name out into the industry and Sam says he’s enjoyed meeting other contestants and learning about their farms.

Second place went to dairy assistant Jerome Grey from Waverley, and Becks McKee from Opunake was third.

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