New Zealand’s Top Sharemilker Named

Media Release

New Zealand’s Top Sharemilker Named

One of New Zealand’s most prestigious agricultural titles has gone to Paul and Judy Clark from the Auckland/North Waikato region.

The couple who sharemilk 1100 cows on 400 effective hectares owned by Landcorp Farming Ltd, were named Federated Farmers New Zealand Sharemilkers of the Year 2002 at a gala function at the Quality Hotel in Hamilton tonight.

The Clarks won the competition from 10 other regional finalists in the annual event which is held to demonstrate the farming ability, the business acumen and the all-round skills of New Zealand’s sharemilkers. The competition is owned by Federated Farmers.

It is the 13th annual national competition. It attracts the “cream” of the country’s sharemilkers who this year competed for a national prize pool of more than $67,000.

The Clarks have sharemilked for the last three years in peat country near Ngatea. They are moving to Southland next season to take up a four-year 50-50 contract, milking 2100 cows at Otautau. Their longterm goals include buying their own 500-cow farm and a 75ha support unit to give themselves a range of options

The Clarks won a $36,000 prize package incorporating:

- Blue Wing Honda 4WD ATV Farm Bike valued at more than $15,000

- $4,000 from the Rural Supply Company

- $4000 from Bank of New Zealand

- $3000 from Ravensdown

- $3000 Livestock Improvement Premier Sires Credit

- $3000 from ACC

- $2000 from Ecolab

- $2000 from Gallagher

Runners up were Simon and Gillian O’Connell from Taranaki. They milk 303 cows on 100ha in a 50/50 contract with the Barrett Partnership in Opunake.

The O’Connells won:

- $7000 from the Rural Supply Company

- $3000 Llivestock Improvement Herd Testing Credit

In third place were David and Louise Powick from Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa who won $5000 from the Rural Supply Company.

National sponsors of the competition are Federated Farmers (which also owns the event), ACC, The Rural Supply Company, Bank of New Zealand, Dexcel, Ecolab, Fencepost.com, Blue Wing Honda, Gallagher Group, Livestock Improvement and Ravensdown Fertiliser.

Six specialist prizes were also presented:

- The Ecolab Farm Dairy Environment Award for milk quality and good hygiene practices around the farm dairy was won by Kelly and Nicola Ludlow from Northland.

- The Livestock Improvement Corporation Prize for Best Herd Records for Stock and Farm Management was won by David and Louise Powick from Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa.

- The Ravensdown Prize for Pasture Management was won by David and Louise Powick.

- The ACC Prize for Dairy Farm Safety was won by Murray and Nikki Hawkings from Manawatu/Rangitikei.

- The Bank of New Zealand Financial Management Award was won by Paul and Judy Clark from Auckland/North Waikato.

- Federated Farmers Leadership Award was won by Paul and Judy Clark.

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