He was surprised at the value he gained from just participating in the competition.
“I didn’t think I would get so much out of it,” he said.
“The growth I gained was exceptional, both from a personal and a farming perspective.”
The competition gave him confidence to push outside his comfort zone and focus on his future.
Born in South Africa, he moved to New Zealand after working in information technology.
It didn’t take him long to scope out how important dairy farming was to NZ and that it was a growing industry he wanted to be part of. A decade later he manages an 865-cow farm for Trevor and Harriet Hamilton at Rerewhakaaitu, near Rotorua.
They and previous employers, Andrew and Lois Emsly in Hawke’s Bay, who hired him in 2003, had given him the opportunity to grow.
Back then he was very green and not even sure how many teats a cow had, but they made him herd manager of 450 cows and let him launch into every aspect of dairy farming.
“I had very limited experience. They gave me great exposure to the industry and I learnt a lot.”
Robert worked there for two seasons and completed a Primary ITO National Certificate in Agriculture, Dairy Farming Level 4, which helped him advance a lot quicker, he said.
Their goal is to gain a sharemilking position and own their own herd within the next two years.
“We have to put our heads down and work for it.”
Robert also won the Vet Club Best Livestock Award, BOP Regional Council Leadership Award, Primary ITO Human Resource Management Award and the RD1 Farm Management Award.
Tokoroa contract milkers Nathan and Elri Levin were second, winning the Westpac Financial Planning and Management Award. Third place went to Reporoa farm manager Tracey Astle, who also won the Fonterra Best Practice Award.
