Young Country: Oliver Teale

Young Farmers are the future of New Zealand agriculture, so each issue we shine a spotlight on a Young Farmers Club member.

Today we talk to Oliver Teale from  Nightcaps Young Farmers

What is the name of your club, and how long have you been a member?I have been a member of Nightcaps Young Farmers for three years.

What has been the highlight for you of joining Young Farmers? What benefits and experiences have helped you most?The highlight has been meeting new friends and taking part in farm tours. I have also enjoyed talking with other farmers about the challenges we are facing and discussing possible solutions.

How did you become involved in agriculture?I became involved in agriculture through my interests in hunting and Young Farmers.

What is your job now, and what has your journey in agriculture been like so far?I am currently the 2IC on a dairy farm in the Scott’s Gap area of Southland. The farm milks 550 cows across 186 effective hectares through a 40-a-side herringbone shed.

My role includes milking, tractor work, grass management, crop walks, caring for young stock and putting up both permanent and temporary fencing.

My farming journey began on a mixed beef and arable farm before I moved into dairy farming. I later came to New Zealand to continue developing my dairy experience. I worked for Pāmu, milking cows and working with red deer, before moving to a privately owned winter-milking farm in the Taupō area.

I then moved to Southland, where I have worked on several dairy farms milking between 500 and 800 cows.

What do you think the future of farming will look like, and what would you like to see happening in New Zealand agriculture?I would like to see New Zealand agriculture remain profitable and for younger generations to continue having opportunities to work their way towards farm ownership.

What are your future plans?My goal is to manage a dairy farm and eventually progress into contract milking.

Who has been your biggest inspiration in agriculture, and why?My biggest inspiration has been my first boss, David Nixey. He taught me a great deal, helped build my confidence and encouraged me to become involved with the local Young Farmers club.

He also pushed me to come to New Zealand and experience how dairy farming is done in another part of the world

Nomination

Ollie has been a welcoming face around the club for the past few years and is always willing to lend a hand.

More recently, he put in a huge amount of behind-the-scenes work for the Gumboot Ball, helping with both the set-up and clean-up while ensuring all health and safety requirements were met.

This included making several trips to collect and return hay bales, cutting up rubbish drums and disposing of the waste after the event.

Thanks, Ollie, for all your hard work and everything you contribute to the club.