Scott and Ann Henderson were announced winners of the region’s sharefarmer of the year category at a function in Invercargill on Saturday night.
The Hendersons say understanding their business is key to success and they do everything they can to look after the environment and improve it.
“Cows, people and the environment are our main focus at all times. We go the extra mile to ensure our team are well looked after and make sure they enjoy their job,” they said.
“People and their safety is our No 1 priority and being on a large-scale farm gives us plenty of areas to train staff in. We have a young team who are super motivated.”
The Hendersons are 25% lower-order sharemilkers on the Whitestone Trust property in Milton, milking 850 cows, and also own cows in the herd.
Runners-up in the Southland-Otago category were Matthew and Moniek van Hout, contract milkers for John and Teresa van Hout on their 225ha, 630-cow property in Winton.
Third place went to Craig and Olivia McGregor, who milk for Jamie McConachie, Jared Collie, Jerry Excel and Paddy Thornton’s 256ha farm in Drummond, where they milk 900 cows.
The other big winners were Gary Sunshine-Tervit, named Southland-Otago dairy manager of the year, and Sophie White, trainee of the year.
