The next group of future dairy industry leaders have been selected for the 2015 New Zealand study tour.

“We were incredibly impressed by the standard of applications this year; it made selecting only six recipients very difficult,” United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) President Tyran Jones said.

“We received twice as many applications this year than ever before.”

The group of six were selected on their capacity to grow from the experience, their passion, and demonstrated dedication to the dairy industry.

“We wanted to give this opportunity to people who would gain the most from the trip. We want people who are going to take this opportunity and give back through their involvement with the industry,” Mr Jones said.

“Each person selected demonstrated how they will promote their learnings upon their return. It’s not only about their personal benefits; we want the whole of Victoria’s dairy industry to grow from these young people’s experience.”

The 2015 NZ study tour group consists of:

  • Kerrilyn Bassett – farm assistant and Certificate III Agriculture student from Kyabram;
  • Hayden Hanratty – farm manager and Certificate IV Agriculture student from Foster;
  • Jason Bermingham – farm owner and Certificate IV Agriculture student from Nambrok;
  • Sarah Saxton – extension officer from Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS); Frankston
  • Aaron Thomas – share farmer and Diploma in Agriculture student from Binginwarri, and;
  • William Ryan, Dumbalk – recent graduate from a Bachelor of Agriculture and Technologies degree. Will was selected to attend the tour last year but had to withdraw due to a family health issue. He reapplied for the tour and has again been selected.

 

Leaving Melbourne in February 2015 for eight days, the tour will be conducted on the South Island of New Zealand and will include visits to dairy farms, research and processing facilities and agricultural sites to meet the framework of learning identified by the participants.

The tour will be led by dairy farmer and UDV Policy Councillor Gordon Nicholas and James Goulding, Industry Trainer with the NCDEA.

The NZ study tour is funded by the Gardiner Foundation and is organised by the UDV.