On-farm learning for next generation of dairy farmers

Continuous learning enables team members to develop and provides added support to the business, says Kevin. “We are investing in people so there is a future not only for our business but in the industry.” technology to the business. He has mapped the farm, noting the history of each paddock, and is using genetics applications to record stud ram information.

A former Primary ITO learner himself, Kevin says learning with Primary ITO helps his team to understand the background to the tasks they are doing.

The programme has also moved the business focus toward goal setting for lamb weights and longer-term pasture planning.

Peter says he highly recommends other sheep and beef farmers consider giving their employees the opportunity to gain a Primary ITO qualification and that training adviser support makes it achievable for employers.

Bringing the next generation of dairy farmers through by offering them on-the-job learning is important for the future of the industry, says Tasman district Dairy farmer Kevin Freeman. Kevin and his wife Kyla milk 390 cows at Atapo farm and have a farm assistant, Gemma Balmer, undertaking the New Zealand Apprenticeship in Agriculture Dairy Farming with Primary ITO | Te Pūkenga.

Senior Farm Assistant Jack Hicks and Gemma Balmer are completing the Level 3 qualification, and Jack plans to start Level 4 in future.

He says through their learning his team are able to help solve problems on farm and offer ideas toward business decisions with Jack progressing from dairy assistant to second in charge.

Training Adviser key to success

Kevin says the learners are well supported by their Primary ITO Training Adviser Kirstie Dodds, class tutors and the online platform, Mahi Tahi, which is easy for both learners and employers to use. A former teacher and artificial insemination technician, Kirstie enjoys working with learners and employers. “It is really rewarding to see learners progress, the knowledge they gain and the impact this has on the farming business.”

Primary ITO training advisers are in regular contact with learners to support their progress and meet with employers and learners at least four times a year to set a training plan. Learners attend classes once every month to six weeks and attend study days and nights. A learning support team and mentors are available to learners who require additional support.

• 2 April: A 33-year-old male from Christchurch was arrested for breach of bail.

• 2 April: A 39-year-old male from Motueka was warned for a historic theft matter.

• 4 April: A 28-year-old male was arrested and processed for drink driving after failing to stop following a crash on Tākaka-Collingwood Highway. He was held in custody charged with breach of home detention conditions, dangerous driving, failing to stop to ascertain injury and driving with excess breath alcohol (third and subsequent).

• 8 April: A 66-year-old local male was referred to a community panel and warned for misuse of a telephone, assaulting police and resisting arrest.

• 13 April: A 32-year-old local male was charged with dangerous driving, driving with excess blood alcohol concentration and driving contrary to a zero alcohol licence following a serious crash on Abel Tasman Drive. He appears in the Nelson District Court on 8 May 2023.

• 16 April: A 42-year-old local male was charged with driving whilst disqualified (third and subsequent), driving with excess blood alcohol (third and subsequent) and breach of bail. His vehicle was impounded.

• 16 April: Some mindless vandalism at the Pupu Springs DOC toilets over the weekend.

• 29 April: A 29-year-old female from Nelson was charged with driving whilst suspended.

• 4 May: A 20-year-old local female received a formal warning for wilful damage and paid reparation of $1000 after deliberately damaging an associate’s car on 19 March 2023.

• 5 May: A 19-year-old local male was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol and given some fines after tearing up the grass in front of the hospital the following day. He appears in the Nelson District Court on 8 June 2023.

Have a great weekend – hopefully we will see some sun!

Gypsy music takes the stage

World premiere of All of Us

Call it gypsy pop if you will, no matter how you hear her, Isabelle Wolff’s vocal styling will have you dancing on the tables and revelling in the joy of song.

Currently based in New Zealand, Isabelle and has been living in Golden Bay these last few months where she has been treating locals to her infectious music and songs.

The singer/songwriter/poet will be the featured guest at this month’s Acid on the Microphone event hosted by Golden Bay Live Poets Society at the Mussel Inn.

“What a joy this one is going to be,” says Mark Raffills, spokesperson for Golden Bay Live poets.

“Imagine a smoky gypsy-jazz and blues joint where, the vocals cut the air with a knife, make every heart swoon and leave the audience hanging on every note, and you begin to get the picture! It’s going to be a good one.”

Thursday 18 May, 7.30pm at the Mussel Inn. $5.

This month Restorative Justice Nelson, along with generous funding from the Ministry of Justice, Borrin Foundation and Tasman Creative Communities, are touring a professional theatre production, entitled All of Us

This British play centres around a family fractured by violence and incarceration. As one member of the family comes to the end of his prison sentence, he starts to explore the possibility of a Restorative Justice conference with the rest of his family. The play follows each family member's journey through this process.

The play will be followed by a Q and A with the actors and two Restorative Justice facilitators. This offers the audience an opportunity to raise questions about Restorative Justice and to ask the cast about the creative process too. A program will also be available for free to all audience members which offers further information about Restorative Justice, and signposts people to places they can get support locally if they are affected by any of the themes raised by the play.

Playhouse Theatre Tākaka, tomorrow, Saturday 13 May.

Tickets and more details on https://myetickets.co.nz/ world-premiere-all-of-us or see Facebook page "All of Us".

* mowing * raking * tedding

* Baling: round, medium & large square

* 16-ton tip trailer

* Mole ploughing

* Heavy roller hire

* Baleage/hay sales

Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store. The solutions will be published here in the next issue.