Norly Bersabe and Lloyd Biliran work for PIC Carleton Road and were named joint winners of NZPork’s Stockperson of the Year at the industry body’s conference in Christchurch last month.
Usually a single winner is selected from trainees who have completed their national qualification for the care of pigs in a pork production unit.
But the judges couldn’t split the pair so named them joint winners of the award.
Entrants must be recommended by both their farmer trainer and off-job training provider.
Chief executive Brent Kleiss said they came highly recommended as standout stock workers who had gone above and beyond to contribute to a "depopulation and repopulation’’ exercise to improve the health status of the farm.
"They are great examples of the bright, ambitious and committed young people who are grasping the very good employment and training opportunities provided by the sector. We look forward to seeing them progress further in their careers."
NZPork’s Outstanding Achievement Award went to Manawatu pig farmer Neil Managh for his outstanding service to the pork industry.
"This award recognises not only his lifetime achievements on his own farm, but also his contribution to the sector,’’ Mr Kleiss said.
Mr Managh has opened his farm to visitors, including government managers MPs, ministers, researchers and university students.
He led the NZPork board from 1998 to 2002, with his tenure including hosting the first World Pork Conference in Auckland.
Expanding into pigs in the late 1970s, he added value to grain crops on his mixed arable farm at Halcombe. He runs the operation with his wife Yvonne, and in more recent years, with son Andrew and daughter-in-law Geraldine.
Their Ratanui farming operation, employing 21 staff, has won several environmental farming awards, with its 800-sow farrow to finish unit. Grain is grown, harvested, stored and home milled and mixed on-farm to feed the pigs.
Food by-products go into the pig diets, diverting them from landfill.
Pig manure fertilises paddocks to produce more grain, while barley straw is used for bedding in the loose-housed dry sow accommodation.
