Cheyenne Wilson is making great strides in the dairy industry.
After just five seasons the 25-year-old manages a 550-cow dairy conversion in Culverden. This year she was also a finalist in the Ahuwhenua Trophy Young Maori farmer of the year competition and she’s keen to encourage more Maori into the industry.
Wilson, of Ngai Tuhoe, Ngati Awa, Ngati Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa descent, was raised on farms in Southland then tried her hand at different jobs including painting and working in shearing sheds before finding her feet in dairying.
“Farming’s an awesome job,” she said.
“I like working outside and being around stock and no two days are the same. You learn something new every day. I’m passionate about what I do and I like to feel proud of how I farm.”
Life as a farm manager carries a lot of responsibility but Wilson is aware of the need to manage that pressure and find a good balance between work and life outside farming.
“This is my first season as manager so it’s been a big learning curve.
“I’m pretty driven about what I do and work as many hours as anyone else in the industry but I’ve learnt to recognise the signs of when I need to get off farm and have a break – the sense that things are getting to me.”
One of the biggest challenges for young farmers is moving to a new area for work and leaving behind friends and family.
“Managing the isolation is the toughest thing – moving to places where you know no one.
“That’s why I went along to a Young Farmers meeting the first week I moved to Canterbury. That’s why I leave the farm when I’m not working.
“I need to be around people and I need to be around noise because it’s quiet on a farm. On my days off I always get off farm, whether it’s to catch up with friends or go hunting.”
It’s about giving back too, she says.
In her previous assistant manager role in Ashburton Wilson regularly whipped up Sunday dinners for fellow workers who hailed from all parts of the globe.
“Those Sunday dinners were a great opportunity to catch up about life not work. Traditional Maori values like manaakitanga – making everyone feel like family and feel welcome – are really important to me.”
Seeking out new connections and local farm networks is something Wilson’s got good at.
It’s no accident she’s been a leading light in the local Young Farmers club and Dairy Women’s Network wherever she has worked.
“It’s good to meet women in dairying in your region. Developing supportive relationships and being able to talk things through with others in the industry is a big help when you need advice.”
“It’s so easy to become isolated in farming and withdraw.
“I’ve noticed that happening to myself a couple of times.
“It’s about recognising that and putting in place strategies to cope.
“I’ve got a good network of people around me – dairy managers, rural professionals, Dairy Women, the Rural Support Trust.
“I’ve made sure I’ve established a network of people I can reach out to when I need to – people who are dealing with the same issues I am.
“And one thing I’ve learnt about this industry is that everyone is willing to share knowledge and provide feedback if they can. But first you’ve got to talk.”
Wilson has also headed outside her comfort zone to grow her leadership skills. For example, signing up to be a regional leader for Dairy Women’s Network and accepting opportunities to speak publicly at industry gatherings.
“I recently spoke to around 40 women at a combined Dairy Women’s Network and Rural Women network in Culverden. Things like that are a huge boost to your confidence and how you see yourself.”
Being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry is not always easy but Wilson has kept learning (level 5 production management with the Primary ITO) and let her skills do the talking.
“Sometimes, as women, we are our own worst critics.
“I’ve learnt that it’s important sometimes to just step back and acknowledge what you’ve achieved and value your skills.
“One of the things I’ve learnt is to enjoy the small wins in the industry, the little achievements throughout the season. It’s all those moments that add up to the big production target at the end of the season.”
Wilson’s wellbeing tips
Talk – Surround yourself with a network of people you can reach out to. It can be as simple as having a conversation in the pub.
Keep active – I want to get back to netball fitness so I can play premier grade again comfortably. I’m a competitive person but a huge part of it is getting off the farm and socialising as well.
Enjoy the small stuff – Sometimes when I’m working I just stop the bike and take a moment to enjoy our amazing landscape.
Eat well – It’s important to have enough fuel in the tank to keep your energy levels up. I’ve learnt it takes more than just a couple of pieces of toast a day to get through calving.
Look after yourself, look after your staff – As an industry we should all be thinking more about how we look after people. People are the most important part of the dairy industry. Without good people you are really screwed.
