Growing farm business expertise to support future goals

Since ticking off the qualification earlier this year, she says she has been applying all of the knowledge on farm.

Eilish, 26, is passionate about the sheep and beef sector. Growing up on lifestyle blocks in Canterbury, she took ag classes at high school in Christchurch. After finishing school unsure which direction to take, Eilish researched cadetship programmes run by Smedley Station and Otiwhiti School of Agriculture. She applied and was delighted to be accepted into Otiwhiti for the 2018 intake.

Based near Hunterville in the Rangitikei, Eilish spent a year attending classes one day a week and gaining experience on the Otiwhiti sheep and beef station and other local farms, while completing her Level 3 training.

“It was really good hands-on experience and practical knowledge,” she says. She enjoyed living with the sixteen other cadets - including four females - on farm. During the second year she took on a junior shepherd role on a farm near Dannevirke, where she stayed for two years. She moved into a general shepherd role, traveling back to Otiwhiti once a month to complete her Level 4 study.

She moved to Hawke’s Bay for another shepherd role for two years, before becoming a stock manager with Horizon Farms near Havelock North, where she worked for just over two years.

Eilish with her Primary Industry Production Management (Level 5) certificate

During her time as stock manager Eilish signed up to the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Production Management (Level 5), through Primary ITO. This is an ideal option for people with at least three years of on-farm experience, who want to take the next step in their career.

The qualification enables learners to make sound decisions to maximise production and financial returns, analyse production systems against industry benchmarks, have the knowledge to recommend improvement strategies for specific production systems, and develop, implement and monitor plans for feeding, breeding and animal health.

Eilish had heard of the qualification previously and her boss asked if she was interested in signing up. She says a big drawcard was gaining more knowledge and adding it to her CV.

“There’s not many jobs that teach you the ‘behind the scenes’ business stuff, so it was quite helpful to learn that. It’s knowledge I’ll keep forever.”

Eilish enjoyed learning how to put together a feed budget from scratch.

She found the animal health planning module useful, even though she was already performing the task on farm. “It was quite easy for me, as I was already doing it with our vet on farm. It was good to learn a bit more about the why.”

She enjoyed the mix of Zoom and in-class days, saying it was valuable to share knowledge and on-farm experiences.

“It was good yarning, exchanging knowledge and ideas. Even on Zoom, talking with people farming down south and the different farming practices and how they run the show.”

Eilish was supported through her study by her employer and her Primary ITO Training Adviser, Demi Raleigh.

Eilish recommends the qualification to others who want to learn more about running a farm business.

“I definitely recommend it. It’s good to get that extra knowledge to help you get further towards your goals. And it always looks good on your CV.”

In July, she finished up at Horizon Farms and moved with her partner to Weber, near Dannevirke, for his promotion. She is now set to go out contracting to use her skills, gain more experience, and earn money towards future goals.

“I want to get a block of our own and start building our own farm business.

“I love the lifestyle, getting out of bed each morning and working outside all day. I love working with animals and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

The New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Production Management (Level 5), is currently available with up to 50% off training fees. For more information on this programme and promotion, click here.