Ange Strawbridge firmly believes people should enjoy what they do.
“If you love the job you are in then it isn’t hard work,” Strawbridge said.
“I enjoy my job. It is a privilege and great responsibility to be able to make a living from the land and working with animals.”
For the past four years she has worked as herd manager for Stewart Dairylands, on James and Debbie Stewart’s 800-cow property at Hiwinui near Palmerston North. She looked after herd genetics and pasture management.
When she decided to put feelers out for a new job for the 2019-2020 season she didn’t really expect anything to come from it.
After all, it was a year away and she was more than happy with her job at Stewart Dairylands – she had no intentions of going anywhere for a while.
What she hadn’t counted on was winning the 2018 Manawatu Dairy Manager of the Year title. The competition had raised her profile and got her name out in farming circles.
“What I was hoping to do was get my advertisement out there early and just let prospective employers know I was looking for next season.
Shirley Brunton and Ange Strawbridge discuss strategy.
Farm Facts
Owners: Malcolm and Shirley Brunton
Farm manager: Angie Strawbridge
Location: Dannevirke, Tararua
Farm Size: 100ha
Cows: 300 Jersey
Production: 2017-18 82,000kg MS
Target: 2018-19 90,000kg MS
