Bailey Gore

Within the Milk Supply South Island team, I collaborate with the Sustainability Advisors, primarily assisting with the essential data collection required at the end of the dairy season. My work involves utilizing the on-farm Synlait database, which incorporates Overseer, and will soon include on-site farm visits for direct data gathering.

This role has provided a diverse range of opportunities, from contributing to the organisation of community events like the Harvest Festival, Swell, Culturefest, and Music in the Park, to supporting the Economic Development team with business surveys and their annual business breakfast.

Over the past three summers, my responsibilities steadily expanded. Starting with tasks like milking and rearing calves, I progressively took on more complex duties, including running the shed, washing the vat, managing stock shifts, and handling fertiliser and manure spreading, as well as drenching, weighing, and feeding out. Ultimately, my capabilities were recognized to the point where I could be trusted to manage the entire operation while management were away.

My key responsibilities spanned various essential farm operations, including livestock management tasks such as drenching, crutching, weighing, docking, drafting and dipping. I also operated the tractor for topping and was involved in wool handling through rousing, alongside general property maintenance like fixing water leaks and fences.

I worked here as a high-school student, after school hours and school holidays. This was my first job and has taught me a lots of life skills from a young age, starting at the age of 14.