Southland dairy farmers Steve and Tracy Henderson prefer to "keep it real", using their own social media platform to share the realities and learning curves of a busy dairy farming enterprise.
The couple were nominated for Rural Champions for their "positive and informative social media platform Legendairies".
The nomination also said they had been finalists in multiple dairy industry awards, and were a sought-after employer in the area as they offered their workers a supportive work-life balance.
"They also open their farm to school visits, helping the children understand dairying in the community. Like any farming family they have their ups and downs, and they show some of this on their social media. They are all-round great Southlanders deserving of this award," it said.
Tracy hails from a sheep, beef and deer farm in Taumarunui in the North Island. After meeting at Lincoln University, the couple eventually settled back in Steve’s home province of Southland and began a journey up the dairying ladder.
"I started the Facebook page just to share what was happening in my world with my friends and family up north. It seemed to garner good feedback and has grown from there," Tracy said.
"I don’t tend to share the sunshine and rainbows of farm life. Things are not always picture-perfect and I think people who follow the page like that. Curveballs are being thrown at farmers every day and for us, it’s about sharing this side of the business while keeping it positive and talking about the solutions to overcome whatever challenge we have had," Tracy said.
From dealing with an outbreak of rotavirus in their calves, dumping milk due to a turned-off vat or mitigating wet weather events, they only ever got positive feedback over their challenges from the community that followed the page, Tracy said.
"When you are new to the industry it can be very overwhelming, and the page tends to reassure people that they are not alone on their journey."
"S... happens, but there’s always a way through it," Steve said.
The couple have been on a steep upward trajectory over the past 20 years with a goal of farm ownership and they are soon to realise this goal.
"We 50:50 share-milk 850 cows in Awarua, where we currently farm, and just up the road we lease a 630-cow farm we will purchase in two years’ time, which we currently have contract milkers on."
Paying it forward is an important value of theirs.
"It’s good to give opportunities to others wanting to get a start in the industry as that’s how we got going", Steve said.
Dairy awards and nominations have been a common occurrence for the couple over the years.
"In the early years, when we were trying to get the good dairy jobs, it was so competitive, so any nomination or win was a good feather in your cap on the CV. These days we don’t tend to enter any of those kinds of awards, but we have been nominated by others for a few, which does make you feel good. We must be doing something right," Steve said.
In 2022 the couple won the MPI Good Employer Award. Fair and flexible rosters are important to the couple, and they make sure they recognise and reward their staff for doing a good job.
They started their working relationship off "on the right foot" with a video on their Facebook page which showed their workplace and explained the expectations of the job, Steve said.
"It’s a good drafting gate. You tend to only get those that genuinely keen on the job as they have a good idea of what they’re coming into."
Outside of their businesses, the couple are also active community members. Steve is chairman of the Southern Field Days and on their local school board of trustees and Tracy is an active member of the PTA.
"It is a pretty full and busy life, but it’s an awesome one," Tracy said.
