A bit about Angela’s career in the Dairy Industry –
I grew up in Dannevirke, spending holidays on family farms.
I initially set out in the dairy industry, working as a relief milker and calf rearer on the family farm in Norsewood. In 2014, with 17 years of dairy farming experience behind me, I began working for Stewart Dairylands on James and Debbie Stewart’s 180-ha, 800-cow farm near Bunnythorpe. After a couple of years as a relief milker and calf-rearing, I was offered a full-time management role.
My hard work and dedication were recognised in 2018, when I won the NZDIA Manawatu Dairy Manager of the Year title. As my position also involved organising staff rosters and running weekly and fortnightly meetings, my staff management skills were also acknowledged with the Employment Engagement award.
I ended the season in 2018 to move forward in my career and gain an understanding of the corporate farming industry!
Managing the Hopkins Farming Group’s Taonui farm in Rangiotu fitted that bill, milking 850 Friesian/Jersey cross cows at peak on the 255ha property. Since taking over as farm manager, I increased the herd’s production to 320,000kgMS in 2020.
At the 2022 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, I received recognition for my work on Taonui, winning the Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award. When the farm was sold and changed ownership in 2022, I established my own business- Ange’s Agribusiness, offering relief to farmers with positions that need filling.
I also work with the Dairy Women’s Network (DWN), moving to the Lower North Island Hub leader position in
2019. As a hub leader, I manage regional leaders in the Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Tararua, Manawatu and Whanganui.
“Hub leader’s roles are to provide oversight, connections, coaching,
mentoring and regional linkages with the office team in order for the regions to function effectively!
My work with DWN directed me towards the rural training organisation Agricademy. “Jules Benton, CEO of DWN, approached me about becoming a licensee as Agricademy became a network partner.
Jules had seen the passion I had for the dairy industry and training people.
I see this as an excellent opportunity to share my knowledge and fill the gap by providing work-ready skills for those wanting to learn and gain practical skills to get milking.
By offering a range of online training videos and programmes backed up with practical on-farm courses, Agricademy aims to assist new employees and those upskilling in the dairy and wool industries.
School students considering casual employment or a career in the agricultural industry are also catered for with a range of short training videos available. In each video clip, industry experts run through the skills required for various tasks.
I go on-farm where the trainees are employed and work with them. We work with the farm owner/manager on areas we need to build on and train the trainee.
We cover everything from teamwork, cupping techniques, shed hygiene, putting up temporary fences, teaching about animal welfare and how to recognise health issues, and understanding feed and water resources.
Agricademy is redefining the training, development and mentoring of those entering the industry.
If you’ve ever considered getting your hands dirty and being a valued member of New Zealand’s leading primary industry, we want to work with you to ensure you have the best experience.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge, watching people grow, and enjoying the practical on-farm training.