Te Awamutu Sharemilker Takes Out Title

Te Awamutu Sharemilker Takes Out Title

Te Awamutu sharemilker Michael Visser (39) has been declared 2005 Waikato Sharemilker of the Year at an awards function in Hamilton tonight.

Mr Visser is a 50:50 sharemilker, milking 1000 cows on 290 effective hectares owned by Haerepo Trust. His production for the 2003-04 season was 324,860kg/ms.

Mr Visser said the large scale of his business had contributed to his success. It provided the opportunity to produce large cow and cash surpluses along with the ability to buy bulk supplies.

He has a firm belief in the value of the strength of relationships between owner, consultant accountant and sharemilker.

“A written plan along with monthly communication means everyone’s goals are met,” Mr Visser says.

In his eleventh year of sharemilking, Mr Visser has experienced a variety of roles – one year on wages, two years managing and two years contract milking.

He was among 16 entrants vying for the Waikato title. It was just his second attempt and he says benefits from entering included putting his business under scruntiny and networking with other successful sharemilkers.

An active member of the NZ Deerstalker Association, Mr Visser’s other interests include invention and design as well as cryptic crosswords.

He also won the Federated Farmers Leadership award Mr Visser will now represent the Waikato at the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year Awards in Hamilton on May 7, competing for a national prize pool of $63,000.

Runners up in the event were Peter and Vanessa Wilcox from Matamata, with third place to Steve and Laura Young from Morrinsville.

The 2005 New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year Competition is run in association with Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) and sponsored by Dairy InSight, ACC, Bank of New Zealand, Blue Wing Honda, Dexcel, Ecolab, Fonterra, Livestock Improvement and Ravensdown.

Regional convenors Rosalie and Malcolm Piggott, who won the regional title two years ago congratulated all the entrants on taking part.

“Having been involved ourselves we know they will have benefited from the experience. We wish them all well and will be cheering on Michael in Hamilton in May,” Rosalie Piggott says. A field day will be held on the winner’s farm at 434 Ngahape Road, Te Awamutu Dairy Supply Number 74513 on Tuesday April 5.

Other results were: Merial Animal Health Award: Steve and Laura Young Waikato Farmers first 50/50 Contract: Steve and Laura Young (Morrinsville) Harcourts Kevin Deane Real Estate Best Endeavour Award: Myron Horsford (Ototohanga) John Austin Ltd Human Resource Management Award: Craig and Hannah Fulton (Matamata) Animal Health Centre Variable Order Award: Alison Bolstad (Te Aroha) Dairy Insight First Time Entrant Award: Peter and Vaness Wilcox (Matamata) Livestock Improvement Best Herd Records Award: Peter and Vanessa Wilcox (Matamata) Ecolab Farm Dairy Environment Award: Craig and Rose Burton (Walton) Ravensdown Pasture Management Award: Warren and Leann Martin (Piopio) ACCThinksafe Farm Safety Award: Michael Visser Blue Wing Honda ATV Safety Award: Warren and Leann Martin (Piopio) Bank of New Zealand Financial Management Award: Steve and Laura Young (Morrinsville) Farm Owners’ Prize: Eleanor Barton – Haerepo Trust Farm

© Scoop Media