Young Farmers are the future of New Zealand agriculture, so each issue we shine a spotlight on a Young Farmers Club member. Today we chat to Brianna McKeown

1.       What is the name of your club, and how long have you been a member?

I have been part of the Pleasant Point Young Farmers club since moving back to my home town just over a year ago

2. What has been the highlight for you of joining Young Farmers? What are the benefits and experiences that you feel have helped you most?

One of the highlights of being part of this club, and the wider NZ Young Farmers, would have to be the social interactions with fellow peers. It is definitely a community built for everyone, with any background. All the events and small catch ups give me something to look forward to throughout the month! There are huge benefits with being part of Young Farmers such as courses, support and having your say, just to touch on a few. Being on the exec team for our club has come with a lot of leadership and commitment opportunities, which has allowed me to step up and take action. We are still fairly new to opening the club back up, so I get a great feeling of accomplishment that I am bringing something back to our community. As my parents were also once a part of this club, I feel like I’m helping to restore part of my heritage.

3.       How did you become involved in agriculture?

I’ve been involved in agriculture since before I could even walk, having grown up on the family farm my whole life. One thing I’ll never take for granted is my childhood and the freedom of being around the farm - doing things I probably shouldn’t have been doing, but that is when you learn! I learned to take initiative, think on the spot, and do honest days work. It is a privilege to do what we love and it all shows when it pays off down the line.

4.       What is your job now?

I have the pleasure of working at Vetlife, which is one of New Zealand’s leading veterinary providers. At Vetlife I assist in managing two of the largest wagyu producers in New Zealand. On a daily basis I am interacting with farmers from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island, ensuring their animal health programmes are implemented to the high standards the producers expect. I am responsible for ensuring the smooth delivery of animal health product to our clinics as well as partner clinics. Throughout the month I deal with numerous invoices as well as contributing with the wider team I’m part of. Having never dealt with cattle previously as I am from a sheep and crop farm it is great to diversify my knowledge.

5.       What do you think the future of farming will look like, and what would like to see happening in New Zealand agriculture going forward?

The future of farming is forever changing as we face new challenges everyday where farmers are having to adapt to new ways and policies where some are not always beneficial. I believe small family farms are slowly being pushed away as the costs are becoming too high in comparison to the income coming back in. New Zealand used to live off sheep’s backs before the development of synthetics but now flock numbers have roughly halved since the peak. With wool prices now at an all-time low it is hardly worth the cost of the shearer. I would love to see a whole lot more support and drive put behind our small family farms around NZ so that we can keep them being passed down for generations. Our parents, grandparents and families have worked so hard to create and build what they have, just for it only to be sold on due to financial and emotional stress.

6.       What are your future plans?

I’m not too certain on what my future may hold but I would love to continue within the agri and animal health sector. I would also love to see my local young farmers thrive even when I have aged out. I know that no matter where I may move to within NZ there will be a local club I will be able to join.

7.       Who has been your biggest inspiration in agriculture, and why?

Both my mother and father are my biggest inspirations. They have distributed their attributes to me, creating a motivated, dynamic woman of passion and creativity. When I was little, I believed everything my parents told me. Their views became mine. I was always told to never give up and always see things through even when they get hard. The older I get the more I can see the sacrifices they make in order for us to have a future in agriculture and to keep the farm within the family. Through all of my life’s highs and lows my parents have always been there for me and pushed me forwards.