Jodie Mexted’s workwear has gone from office suits to overalls, and the winner of the 2015 Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year award is loving the change.

“I grew up on a dairy farm but never thought about dairying as a career.”

Self-sufficient
The Mexted farm is low lying and can be wet in winter so cows are moved to a run-off.

Maize and lucerne are grown for supplementary feed, helping keep input costs down and making the business more self-sufficient.

“We’ve been lucky this summer to get enough rain to keep the cows milking twice-a-day. We have paspalum, which helps with grazing at this time of year, and using it in a 12-day rotation makes sure it’s not too long for cows to eat and helps preserve existing rye grass.”

Jodie, who also won the Bell Booth First Time Entrant Award and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environment Award, has plans for more trees on the family farm.

“This winter we’ll plant more to provide shelter and shade for the cows.”

Becoming self-employed and owning her own herd is Jodie’s long-term goal, but despite the career change, aspects of the hospitality industry still hold appeal.

“I love to cook and a friend Rachel Thompson and I regularly did the catering for events at the Edgecumbe Squash Club last year.

“I love the country life in the Bay of Plenty but still sometimes miss the city – shopping in particular.”

She’ll have the chance to indulge in retail therapy by spending some of the prize money she won in the awards buying a new dress for the big night when she represents the Bay of Plenty at the National Dairy Industry Awards at SkyCity on May 2.