Central Plateau Dairy Industry Awards Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year winners Kirsten and Donald Watson chose a radical career-change five years ago – and haven't looked back.

Kirsten and Donald Watson are the Central Plateau Dairy Industry Awards Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year winners.

The former veterinarians are thrilled to take the regional title, saying their business has already benefited greatly from the experience.

'The close scrutiny the judging process puts upon your operation really helps to identify areas where you can improve,” says Donald. 'We'd definitely recommend the competition,” says Kirsten, who says 'there is a lot to be gained from putting yourselves out there”.

The win marks another step in the right direction for a couple passionate about the dairy industry.

In their first season 50 per cent sharemilking 990 cows on Monowai Station, east of Taupo, they continue to strive towards their long-term goal of farm ownership.

'We are focused on growing our equity to enable us to purchase an 800-cow farm by 2020,” say the couple, who formulated their very precise vision in early-2009.

To assist their equity growth, the Watsons say they're also focussing on personal growth, especially with relation to their governance and financial skills.

'We need to drive strong, profitable performance on Monowai, as well as extra stock income from surplus, high quality replacements and surplus in-calf cows.”

Happy
Farming is not just about the bottom line for Kirsten and Donald though, who in addition to their farm ownership goal have the very simple, yet aspirational goal, of being happy. This is the main driver behind the change in career pathway, especially as they began their family.

The couple met at vet school at Massey University in 1993 and both worked as mixed animal vets for three years in New Zealand before heading to the United Kingdom for their OE in 2002.

Upon returning in 2004, Kirsten and Donald resumed their vet work, yet felt the pull towards farming.

'We didn't have any thoughts of entering the farming industry prior to our vet studies,” says Kirsten. 'But I think it had been in Don's mind for a long time – as a vet he was always slightly envious of the farmer.”

'I had begun thinking I'd rather do the farmer's job instead of mine,” agrees Donald, who began mulling it over with friends in the farming industry. The couple who grew up on sheep and beef farms – Donald in Southland's Garston, and Kirsten in Dannevirke – soon reached a consensus.

'We are farmers; it's in our blood and it kind of pulls you back. We have no regrets about our vet degrees and time in practice though, as the knowledge and skills are absolutely invaluable now.”

Donald spent the next three-and-a-half years working at Awapai, a 2125ha sheep breeding and beef farm near Hastings. Then in 2009, the couple came across the DairyNZ website and, utilising the strategic planning information, completed their first strategic plan.

'We spent two days on this and we then had a clear vision: ‘Rapid equity growth in livestock agribusiness to achieve financial independence and personal fulfilment'. At this point we had two opportunities – to either lease a sheep and beef farm or go dairying – we thought the dairy industry offered us huge opportunities.”

The switch to dairy was made, with Don beginning as herd manager for Dean and Kristen Nikora on an 1100-cow farm in central Hawke's Bay.

The Watsons sold a lifestyle block they'd purchased in 2005 and started buying empty cows to carry over in autumn 2010.

In 2010 the couple moved to Benneydale, King Country, where they were lower order sharemilking on a 1620-cow, 650ha operation, leasing some of their own cows to the farm as they built up stock numbers: 276 in 2011/2012, then 500 in 2012/2013. The Watsons then moved to Monowai last season, bringing 500 cows plus 158 carry-over cows and 43 R2 heifers.

Speed
The incredible speed at which they've progressed through the industry is testament to the couple's hard work and precise vision. Not only have they been growing equity and knowledge, but also their young family, with their three boys Riley, six, George, five, and Josh, three.

The farming lifestyle has generated a lot of positives for the family.

'We love to be able to teach our boys the same skills we learned as children,” says Kirsten. 'They love the outdoors and are exuberant active farming boys – loud, noisy and full of life and happiness.

'It's great to be able to walk out the door and be at work, to be able to work with my family – and to have control of our own plan and life,” says Donald.

It hasn't all been plain sailing however, with the usual ups and downs of farming. The couple cite one of the hardest things they've ever done as facing and getting through a major salmonella outbreak at Benneydale.

The experience tested their resilience but also served to remind them of how supportive the industry can be, with everyone pulling together in this particular instance.

'What still continues to amaze me about this industry is how people are so willing to share their knowledge and skills; and there is such a wide range of resources available to everyone,” says Kirsten. The couple say they've enjoyed incredible support from a combination of former employers and informal mentors, including Dean Nikora, Alison Dewes and Monowai owners Glenn and Karen Speed. In relation to the dairy awards, the couple has been particularly humbled.

'We've had such a lot of support from friends, family and also the wider dairy industry, which has been really uplifting.

'We'd also like to make special mention of our parents, who have just been amazing. The real highlight for us so far has been to see how proud both our parents and farm owners were on the night at regionals, ” says Donald.