As a Dairy Farm Manager, you do it all. Trinity Jackson does just this for the Pāmu Ruru Dairy Unit on the West Coast. Trinity says that a typical day includes “up at 4am getting stuck in milking, feeding cows, as well as management of stock, pasture and people. There is a lot more to each of those elements including milk quality and production, animal health, agronomy plans, finances etc.”
4am starts aren’t for everyone that’s for sure, being in the dairy industry is hard work, but Trinity isn’t one to shy away from that – if anything, she’s the opposite. We know that motivation alone doesn’t lead to results; passion and drive plays a major role. What gets Trinity up every morning at 4am? “Being there for my cows, my people and to build the life I want.”
Trinity began working for Pāmu as a casual at Ruru Dairy Unit towards the end of calving in 2021 when she first moved to the West Coast.
“I quickly secured a full-time role, later stepping into the 2IC position for the 21/22 season. In 2022, I took on the role of Acting Manager to carry the farm through the spring, then was officially appointed Farm Manager after proving my passion, talent and drive.”
One thing’s for sure, Pāmu look after their people – those who demonstrate talent, drive and potential tend to be rewarded. Trinity did just that.
In only her second season as Farm Manager, Trinity was rewarded for her effort by being named 2024 Dairy Manager of the Year for the West Coast/Top of the South. Not only did she receive the top award, she was also recognised with the Fonterra Dairy Management Award, Parry Field Lawyers People and Leadership Award and the D&E Environmental Sustainability Award.
Receiving this recognition is definitely Trinity’s ‘best moment’ in her current role, but every day and every season she’s experiencing these moments that may seem small to others but mean everything to the farm.
“It’s the sense of accomplishment, for example, when finally ticking those things off the list that have been there for years, or making revelations in regards to minerals and metabolics in the cows. As well as seeing staff grow when achieving both work and personal goals.”
The values at Pāmu are strong, there’s a lot that sits behind them – Grounded, Genuine, Shoulder-to-Shoulder and Bold. For Trinity, the one that resonates the most is Genuine. “Farming is a tough industry. We have to have a fine balance between optimism and realism. I believe the most important attributes that a person can have are being genuine, honest and dependable. Farming is about all of those, as well as being authentic and advocating for our animals and people.”
When you’re a genuine person who loves their job as much as Trinity, it can be hard to identify the things that you love most about your job, but for Trinity it’s simple. “Working with livestock, protecting our environment, and creating lifelong relationships and connections with staff, employers and industry members.”
Trinity and her fiancé have goals, big goals. “In five years, my fiancé and I would love to be small scale contract milking and creating the life we want to provide for our family. Short term goals to reach that five-year target include being ‘head down-bum up’ expanding and exploring to develop more knowledge and awareness in the industry.”
With an attitude and work ethic like that, there’s no doubt Trinity will achieve what she sets out to achieve – whatever that goal may be.
