Sharemilker To Represent West Coast/Top Of South

Media release
West Coast/ TOS Sharemilker of the Year
28 MARCH 2006

SUPREME SHAREMILKER TO REPRESENT WEST COAST/TOP OF THE SOUTH

Barrytown sharemilkers Colin (51) and Jody (38) Cudmore were named 2006 West Coast/Top of the South Sharemilker of the Year at an awards function in Shantytown tonight.

The couple are 50:50 sharemilking 360 cows on a 175 hectare farm owned by Allen and Nola Weir producing 125,000kg/ms.

It was fourth time lucky for the Cudmores who say the benefits for them of entering Sharemilker of the Year have made them work on the their business, not just in it.

Jody and Colin have what they describe as “a big, happy blended family after marrying 10 years ago”.

They have been sharemilking for the last seven years, firstly two seasons contract milking on Kowhitirangi for Westland Friesian, followed by four years 50:50 milking for Rob and Louis Sweeney of Kowhitirangi until taking on the position with Alan and Nola Weir of Barrytown in 2005/06.

“This increased the herd size from 200 to 360,” Colin says.

The Cudmores believe seeing potential, a conviction they can make it work and enjoying what they do are important business strengths for them.

“And we move with the time and upgrade our skills,” they say.

For the future, building equity and buying land; retirement and travelling the world are the Cudmores’ future goals. But in the meantime, spending time with their children and grandchildren, cycling, fishing, hunting, sleeping and working fill their hours.

Colin and Jody Cudmore will now go forward to represent West Coast /Top of the South in the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year national final to be held in Christchurch on May 13, competing for a national prize pool of nearly $60,000.

The 2006 New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year Competition is run in association with Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) and is sponsored by Dairy InSight, ACC, Bank of New Zealand, Blue Wing Honda, Dexcel, Ecolab, Fonterra, Livestock Improvement and Ravensdown.

Runners up in the West Coast/Top of the South were Ian and Kate O’Brien from Whataroa. Third place went to Doug Butcher and Caroline Newick from Totara Flat.

Other results were:

Westland Milk Products Encouragement Award presented by Noel Robb Michael Maguire
Trustpower Best Presentation Award presented by Graeme Purches Colin and Jody Cudmore
CRT Lower Order Sharemilker presented by Aaron Gordon Mark Pender
West Coast Regional Council Sustainable Farming Practices Award presented by John Clayton Colin and Jody Cudmore
CMP Kokiri Young Stock Award presented by Chris Campbell Johnny Exton and Allwyn Gourley
Special Perseverance Award
Presented by Peter Langford Gordon and Rabecca Storer

Dairy InSight first time entrant award Presented by Dr John Penno Ian and Kate O’Brien
Federated Farmers Leadership Award presented by Basil Meyer Colin and Jody Cudmore
ACC Thinksafe Farm Safety Award presented by Ceri Jones Mark and Laura Manson
Bank of New Zealand Financial Management Award presented by Tony Wright Jody and Andy Shaw
Blue Wing Honda ATV Safety Award Presented by Rick McCobb Mark and Laura Manson
Ecolab Farm Dairy Environment Award presented by Peter Langford for Ray Struthers Colin and Jody Cudmore
LIC Best Herd Records Award presented by Katrina Simpson Johnny Exton and Allwyn Gourley
Ravensdown Pasture Management Award presented by Tony Reilly Jody and Andy Shaw

…ends

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