Braden and Brigitte Barnes have taken the leap into farm ownership to purchase their first farm with support from the Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award.
Braden and Brigitte were one of three recipients of the inaugural Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award in 2025 at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Gala Dinner, together with Cameron and Margaret Bierre and Reece and Natasha Cox.
After viewing numerous properties and missing out on multiple offers over the past year, the couple say the process was both financially and emotionally demanding, highlighting the challenges facing first-time farm buyers in the current climate.
“We looked at a lot of farms – a lot – and they were just out of our reach. Dairy farms have been selling for over $65,000/ha in Canterbury. There is a lot of money around at the moment, and people with deep pockets,” says Braden.
“It’s been an emotional roller-coaster,” adds Brigitte.
“We put in a lot of offers which were not accepted, so it was a shock when this one was. It’s exciting to finally have our own piece of land. It’s been a long journey to get here.”
The financial backing provided through the award along with the advice and help from Fonterra and ASB has given the couple the boost to take this next step.
“The funding has definitely helped. It’s given us a strong starting point and made things more achievable,” says Braden.
The personal support and genuine care from Fonterra and ASB employees has also been key in getting a farm sale across the line.
“It’s been really helpful having that support and another set of eyes over everything as we’ve worked through the process,” Braden says.
“Aran Young from ASB has been awesome. He wanted to see us succeed and it’s really helpful to have someone like that in your corner. Having someone backing you, but also being realistic and working through the options with you, has been really valuable.”
Adam Winter from Fonterra has also been there every step of the way, calling in to visit, sending through links to farms for sale and giving advice around milk supply, Brigitte says.
The couple have bought a 200ha grazing block in Sheffield, Canterbury, with an existing consent to convert to dairy. The couple plans to convert, milk 600-650 cows, and supply Fonterra in the next 18 months.
The couple are currently 50/50 sharemilking 1150 cows. They have sold the herd and will move to the new farm in June.
Rather than continuing to compete at the top end of the dairy market, the couple chose to take a more strategic approach by purchasing this property with development potential and creating a system that would work for them.
“We had to think outside the box and realised we could do this ourselves and it’s still a really good scale,” says Brigitte.
The farm itself has great soils, with 141ha irrigated and backs onto the Kauri River.
It will be strange to not be going into a calving season this year while they run dairy grazing stock and carry out the conversion, admits Braden.
The Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award is open to people who have previously entered the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
The award is a collaboration between ASB, Fonterra and the NZDIA Trust. The award aims to help the best in the industry successfully transition into farm ownership, ensuring good succession to ownership and the future of the dairy industry.
The three FFA winners each receives up to $1 million of ASB Business Term Lending fixed at 1% per annum for three years, along with a Fonterra launch package that includes $20,000 of Farm Source account credit to drive productivity and sustainability, mentoring, and additional support to help them successfully transition into ownership.
NZDIA General Manager Robin Congdon says it’s fantastic news to see Braden and Brigitte progress to farm ownership and showcase how beneficial winning this award can be.
“We are delighted for Braden and Brigitte to be able to buy their first farm. We have watched their progression through the Dairy Industry Awards and this is such a significant moment for their dairy career.
“It really reflects the evolution of the NZDIA in supporting dairy farmers from the beginning of their careers right through to farm ownership.”
ASB's General Manager Rural Banking Aidan Gent says these awards are about backing hardworking farmers who are putting everything into building a future on the land.
“For many, farm ownership is a long‑held dream and through this award and its winners, we’re showing what’s possible with hard work, dedication and the right support behind you.
“We’re proud to stand alongside NZDIA and Fonterra to help make that goal a little more achievable. It’s incredibly rewarding to see Braden and Brigitte, who were the 2025 winners of the Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award, come full circle on their journey to owning a farm."
Anne Douglas, Group Director – Fonterra Farm Source agrees it’s encouraging to see last year’s winners buy their first farm.
“We’re delighted to see Braden and Brigitte turn their plans into reality and look forward to supporting their next chapter as Fonterra suppliers on their very own farm.
“Backing the next generation of farmers is one of the most important ways we can help secure the future of New Zealand dairy and strengthen our rural communities. That’s why we’re committed to giving young farmers the tools, advice and opportunities they need – so achievements like Braden and Brigitte’s become more common.”
The winners of the 2026 Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award will be announced at the National Dairy Industry Awards Gala Dinner in Rotorua on May 9.
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