Bay farmer takes top award

Thomas Chatfield was named Dairy Manager of the Year at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards on Saturday. Photo/Mark Tantrum

Bay of Plenty's Thomas Chatfield was named Dairy Manager of the Year at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards on Saturday pulling in $27,000 worth of prizes.

Atiamuri's Olivia Wade also placed third in the Dairy Trainee of the Year section at the awards evening held at Wellington's TSB Bank Arena.

Mr Chatfield, 30, a former physiotherapist, manages a 500-cow Whakatane farm owned by Bruce and Judy Woods and won the Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year title in his first season in the dairy industry in 2013.

Olivia Wade.

Dairy Manager head judge Hamish Taylor said Mr Chatfield will go a long way in the industry.

"Thomas showed and expressed opinions about the farming system he manages and is passionate about what he is doing. He is making a tangible difference to the business he is involved with and was engaged with the owner. He has a capable team working with him and was working with the team on a succession plan, should he move on."

Ms Wade is a 23-year-old Atiamuri assistant manager and won $2500 in prizes.

Mark and Jaime Arnold from Dannevirke won New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year while Nicholas Bailey from Greytown won Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Full Results:
2016 New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year:
· Winner - Mark & Jaime Arnold, Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa
· Runner-up - Michael & Susie Woodward, Canterbury
· Third - Callum & Hanna Stalker, Southland/Otago
· DairyNZ Human Resources Award - Michael & Susie Woodward
· Ecolab Farm Dairy Hygiene Award - Mark & Jaime Arnold
· Federated Farmers Leadership Award - Michael & Susie Woodward
· Fonterra Farm Source Interview Award - Matthew Herbert & Brad Markham
· Honda Farm Safety and Health Award - Michael & Susie Woodward
· LIC Recording and Productivity Award - Michael & Susie Woodward
· Meridian Energy Farm Environment Award - Callum & Hanna Stalker
· Ravensdown Pasture Performance Award - Mark & Jaime Arnold
· Westpac Business Performance Award - Mark & Jaime Arnold

2016 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year:
· Winner - Thomas Chatfield, Bay of Plenty
· Runner-up - Hamish Kilpatrick, Canterbury
· Third - Lance Graves, Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa
· Dairy Manager of the Year Interview Award - Sam Howard
· DairyNZ Employee Engagement Award - Thomas Chatfield
· Meridian Energy Leadership Award - Renae Flett
· Fonterra Farm Source Feed Management Award -Hamish Kilpatrick
· DeLaval Livestock Management Award - Thomas Chatfield
· Primary ITO Power Play Award - Thomas Chatfield
· Fonterra Farm Source Farm Management Award - Matt Birchfield
· Westpac Financial Management & Planning Award - Lance Graves

2016 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year:
· Winner - Nicholas Bailey, Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa
· Runner-up - Karl Wood, Manawatu
· Third - Olivia Wade, Central Plateau
· DairyNZ Practical Skills Award - Karl Wood