Taranaki dairy farmer Martin Keegan, winner of the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year, shares how entering the competition became a turning point in his career. Farming alongside his fiancée’s family and managing 246 cows on 94 hectares, he has built a system focused on stock health, efficiency, and people.

In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Martin about awards night, his three national merit awards for leadership, financial planning, and livestock management, and the lessons that followed. They also discuss communication, workplace culture, and his message to other farmers considering entering: “You’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose.”

 

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:
Martin Keegan, Taranaki dairy farm manager

 

Martin Keegan reflects on his journey to becoming the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year and relives the excitement of the awards process. Farming alongside his fiancée’s family in Taranaki and managing 246 cows on 94 hectares, he shares how focusing on people, communication, and stock performance has shaped his approach to leadership.

He talks about the experience of awards night, winning three national merit awards for leadership, financial planning, and livestock management, and the pride of being part of New Zealand’s dairy sector. Martin also discusses the value of connection and mentorship within the industry, his role encouraging new entrants through the regional committee, and his advice to others considering entering the awards: to do it for the learning, the challenge, and the opportunity to grow.

Taranaki dairy farmer Martin Keegan, winner of the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year, shares how entering the competition became a turning point in his career. Farming alongside his fianc&eacute;e&rsquo;s family and managing 246 cows on 94 hectares, he has built a system focused on stock health, efficiency, and people.
In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Martin about awards night, his three national merit awards for leadership, financial planning, and livestock management, and the lessons that followed. They also discuss communication, workplace culture, and his message to other farmers considering entering: &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Host:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country</li>
</ul>
Guest:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Martin Keegan, Taranaki dairy farm manager</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Martin Keegan reflects on his journey to becoming the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year and relives the excitement of the awards process. Farming alongside his fianc&eacute;e&rsquo;s family in Taranaki and managing 246 cows on 94 hectares, he shares how focusing on people, communication, and stock performance has shaped his approach to leadership.
He talks about the experience of awards night, winning three national merit awards for leadership, financial planning, and livestock management, and the pride of being part of New Zealand&rsquo;s dairy sector. Martin also discusses the value of connection and mentorship within the industry, his role encouraging new entrants through the regional committee, and his advice to others considering entering the awards: to do it for the learning, the challenge, and the opportunity to grow.

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.

Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our
thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.

Don’t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the
business of dairy farming into the future.

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.
Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.
Don&rsquo;t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the&nbsp;subscribe button now and <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter</a> to get the&nbsp;latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the business of dairy farming into the future.