WEST COAST/TOP OF THE SOUTH DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

March 20, 2026

The winners of the 2026 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at the Murchison Event Centre on Friday evening.

Abbi Ayre and Frikkie Terblanche are the 2026 West Coast/Top of the South Share Farmers of the Year, with Preet Singh named West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager of the Year and the title of West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Trainee of the Year awarded to Mark Ready.

The 2026 West Coast/Top of the South Share Farmers of the Year lease farm two milking platforms near Cronadun in the West Coast.

Abbi Ayre and Frikkie Terblanche lease 92ha and 106ha off Aaron Slicock and Victor Kersten milking 500 cows.

This is the first year Abbi, 32, and Frikkie, 33, have entered the Dairy Industry Awards.

Frikkie, originally from a farm in Zimbabwe, met Abbi “over the fence” while both were farming in New Zealand.

The couple have worked their way up from farm assistants, through contract milking and sharemilking to now be leasing.

“One of our strengths is adaptability. We are not afraid to challenge the status quo, try new things, and build strong relationships with the people around us.”

The judges said “Abbi and Frikkie have a clear and timebound pathway to farm ownership which is front of mind when making all business decisions”.

The couple, who have two children aged five and four, have the ultimate goal to achieve more freedom and not have to work on-farm every day.

They won a $10,000 prize package and three merit awards on the night.

Runner-up in the 2026 West Coast/Top of the South Share Farmer is Adam and Shania Pearce, who won $4,436 and one merit award.

The couple, both aged 27, are 27% sharemilking for Stuart and Janice Moir, milking 266 cows on 110ha at Maimai.

Both left school early and entered the dairy industry despite no background in farming.

“We have not been raised on a dairy farm, stepping into this industry gave us passion and determination – we love the independence, the drive it gives, the learning and people skills.”

Their next goal is to purchase the herd they are currently milking.

“We love the job and have an attachment to the cows.”

Note: Due to the minimum number of finalists not being reached, West Coast/Top of the South Share Farmer and Dairy Manager entrant scores were benchmarked against the national average, with data collated from the 10 other regions. Merit awards and placings were only presented where entrants achieved the required benchmark level.

The winner of the 2026 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager is Preet Singh.

The 32-year-old is employed by Pāmu Farms Limited at Cape Foulwind, milking 950 cows on 370ha.

Previously working in accounting, Preet has worked his way up through the dairy industry and loves working outside with the cows.

“I’m no stranger to farming, I come from a farming family and I love to be around animals, living on God-made land away from city life.”

The judges were impressed with his record keeping and said “Preet had a good understanding of his livestock, showed good animal welfare, and had the lowest empty rate of 7% last season out of Pāmu”.

Preet is passionate about achieving a good work/life balance, playing volleyball and off-roading.

Preet won a prize package worth $6,150 and one merit award on Friday evening.

The Runner-up in the Dairy Manager category is Kauri Peters and Katrina Guiney.

Kauri, 27, and Katrina, 22, are both farm managers for Kieran and Leonie Guiney on their 260ha farm at Rai Valley, milking 750 cows.

Kauri, who was new to farming when he got his first opportunity during high school, while Katrina has grown up on farms, working on her family farm and then on various farms throughout university where she studied a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture.

“We are passionate young farmers who take pride in our work. We value team work, good stockmanship and efficient farm systems. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement.”

They are moving to a farm management role next season on a dry stock block with the long-term goal of raising equity to go sharemilking and be able to buy their own farm.

They won $3,165 along with two merit awards.

Third place in the 2026 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager category is Gurlal Singh.

The 32-year-old is farm manager for Pāmu Farms at Westport, milking 1100 cows on 460ha.

The winner of the 2026 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Trainee is Mark Ready.

The 23-year old is farm manager for Michael Shearer on the Inch Family’s 130ha farm at Maruia milking 250 cows.

Mark has worked for two years as a farm assistant before stepping up to his current management role. Entering the Dairy Industry Awards appeals to his competitive nature, he says.

“I love the opportunities the industry has to offer and the various skills you learn along the way. Also the huge scope for personal development and self-improvement.”

Mark and his wife Lily have a one-year-old daughter Azra and the couple have already started saving to go sharemilking.

“My boss Michael Shearer has been an awesome mentor who has taught me a lot and is helping me achieve my goals.”

The judges said “Mark’s calm demeanour, practical problem-solving and commitment to continual learning set him apart. With a strong grasp of core principles and a clear drive to keep improving, Mark exemplifies excellence in on-farm capability”.

Mark won $5,540 and three merit awards on the evening.

Runner-up in the Dairy Trainee category is Trent Bruhn who went home with a $2,050 prize package.

The 25-year-old is 2IC for Gary Omlo and Jessica Paewai-Omlo on Andrew and Vanessa Wilkinson’s farm at Tapawera, milking 630 cows.

Also a trained AI technician, Trent has studied Level 3 and Level 4 through PrimaryITO and a Lameness Management course through Dairy Hoofcare Institute.

He loves the many different career paths the dairy industry has to offer and has a huge passion for working with animals.

“Just keeping the girls happy and healthy is my main driver in the morning.”

Third place went to Jorja Ayers who won $1,365.

The 21-year-old is herd manager for Sam Sowman, milking 730 cows on 261ha at Takaka Valley.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda, LIC, Power Farming and Trelleborg, along with industry partners Fonterra, DairyNZ, and The Country.

The West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Industry Awards Field Day will be held on 9 April at 1375 State Highway 69, Cronadun, Reefton, 7895. Westland S/N 570.

Further details on the winners and the Field Day can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz

Results of the 2026 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Industry Awards:

2026 West Coast/Top of the South Share Farmer of the Year

Winner – Abbi Ayre & Frikkie Terblanche

Runner-up Adam & Shania Pearce

2026 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager of the Year

Winner – Preet Singh

Runner Up – Kauri Peters & Katrina Guiney

Third – Gurlal Singh

2026 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Trainee of the Year

Winner – Mark Ready

Runner-Up – Trent Bruhn