January 2015
29,200 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast.
INSIDE Page 7
Aoraki brings new skills to town Page 10
Field day for top farmer
Page 16
Back when steam was king
CONTACT US Canterbury Farming 03 347 2314
Fresh faces for Federated Farmers by Ayla Miller
Things are changing for Federated Farmers as they welcome Joanne Burke, the new chairperson in the Seed and Grain division for mid-Canterbury and Jessie Chan-Dorman as the new vice-president. Jessie Chan-Dorman is looking forward to giving something back to the farming community. Having worked with Federated Farmers for 10 years prior to this career move, she strongly believes in the values and wishes to use her position to ensure the organisation remains involved with Environment Canterbury and other stakeholders. “I will be advocating on behalf of farmers in the region on local and national policy,” she says. Jessie believes the best part about the position is the people she meets and the gains she makes on behalf of the farmers. “It is rewarding gaining successes for the farmers. Whether it is reducing costs or dealing with tactical policy.” Jessie studied at Massey University and graduated with an honours degree in Animal Science. She and husband Hayden now lease 420ha in Dorie near Rakaia and milk 1700 cows. Her skills range from policy to commercial as she has worked in many different rural professional positions which she believes sets her up well for her new position as vice-president. “I think the skills I learnt working for Federated Farmers in Wellington also sets me up well.”
Jessie Chan-Dorman and her young family at their 420ha dairy farm in Dorie
She attributes her success to Hayden who she says is really grounded. He helps me with real farming solutions.” In her professional life she has completed the Fonterra Governance Development Programme, the Food and Agribusiness Marketing Experience and the Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme. She also won the Institute of Directors Canterbury Aspiring Director Award for 2014. It is still early days for Joanne Burke but with her
extensive education and farming history, she has a deep understanding of the seed and grain industry. She wanted to be chairperson as she believes “the industry is relatively fragmented and Federated Farmers are a great leader.” “I’m absolutely passionate about arable farming. I feel I’m in a position to use my background to give arable farmers a voice.” The main issue that she will tackle in her role is nutrient
management compliance but she lists getting through the dry period as being top of the agenda as there has been minimal rain this spring and she fears the mid Canterbury region may be facing another drought. “The north west wind during spring means that we are dealing with incredibly dry conditions.” This means the current quality of the crops are threatened and she has been working hard to irrigate to maintain crops. “It is probably too late for
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harvested crops,” Joanne says. She has been farming for 17 years with her husband and is currently a director of a 276 hectare mixed cropping farm in Rokeby. Joanne studied at the University of Canterbury and obtained a partial MBA; a Post Graduate Diploma of Environmental Science, Resource Management RMA and Applied Microbiology; and a Bachelor of Science and a Double Major in Microbial and Zoological Sciences.