“Simple, repeatable processes mean we can achieve exceptional milk quality and reproductive performance and the support from Dairy Holdings helps us keep growing.”

From Laguna to Southland: A Journey Built on Determination

Joselito and Lorina Ebron left Laguna in the Philippines in 2007 with a clear vision: to build a better future through dairy farming in New Zealand. Without any background in agriculture, Joselito completed dairy training courses in the Philippines before landing his first role on a 1,000-cow farm in Ashburton.

“We weren’t from farming families,” says Joselito, “but we knew we were willing to work hard and learn.”

Over the next decade, Joselito progressed through multiple roles across Otautau, Tuatapere, and Oamaru, gaining hands-on experience with different herd sizes and farm systems. In 2017, the Ebrons secured residency and set their sights on contract milking.

Opportunities with Dairy Holdings

In 2022, they joined Dairy Holdings as contract milkers at Nine Mile, a 464 cow farm near Gore. This was Lorina’s first time working alongside Joselito in day-to-day operations, marking the beginning of her own journey in dairy farming.

Nine Mile experienced a highest Somatic Cell Count (SCC) in the 2021/22 season (191,000). Prior to Joselito and Lorina. Despite challenging Southland conditions, they made milk quality their top priority and their efforts were rewarded in the 2023/24 season:

• Recognition through Fonterra Te Tihi, 97% of supply days as excellent milk, under the Fonterra SCC threshold of 150,000 (77,000 scc).
• Highest milk production at Nine Mile in seven years (143,626 kgMS).

After two successful seasons, and starting to build their herd the Ebron’s stepped into a new opportunity, contract milking the neighbouring Waimea property, milking 670 cows. It was another step forward and a new challenge milking 206 more cows.

This time, reproduction performance was their focus. At the end of the 2024/25 season, they had:

• Increased the 6-week in-calf rate from 72% to 81%.

• Received the VetSouth award for the most improved 3-week and 6-week in-calf rates across all clients in eastern Southland and west/south Otago and for the highest 6-week in-calf rate overall (81%)

“Have a plan, have a goal, and work hard,” says Lorina.
For the Ebrons, overcoming challenges like somatic cell count and reproduction rates comes down to mindset and teamwork. Their improvements were driven by a strong focus on hygiene, animal health, and consistency in daily milking routines.

“Hard work and determination are essential, but it’s teamwork that truly makes the difference.”

Supported to Succeed

The Ebrons credit the structure and support within Dairy Holdings as key to their progress.

“Simple, repeatable processes mean we can exceptional milk quality and reproductive performance and the support from Dairy Holdings helps us keep growing.” says Lorina.

“There’s clarity, and it keeps everyone focused.”

They describe Dairy Holdings as more than an employer, it’s an opportunity for personal and financial growth, with opportunities to grow such as; owning and leasing cows, rearing calves and accessing professional development and training

“There’s a clear career pathway for anyone willing to work hard,” says Joselito.
“With the support of Dairy Holdings, we’re confident we’ll get to our end goal: farm ownership.”

Their farm supervisor, Nick Rowe, has been a steady source of encouragement.

“Nick is always pushing us to grow,” says Joselito. “Taking on a bigger herd at Waimea really pushed us.” They also appreciate the broader support team, particularly Jane Fowles and Lucy Bonifacio, who have helped lift their focus on health and safety.

“The work environment is safer, and the training is really well organised,” says Lorina.

They’ve completed courses in:

• Business by Numbers
• First Aid
• Vehicle Handling
• Chemical Safety

This has given them confidence that they’re well-equipped with the skills needed on farm.

Lifting Pasture Performance

Shifting into a 100% pasture farming system has helped them deepen their technical knowledge.

“We’ve really grown our pasture management skills,” says Joselito.“Our Farm Systems Coach, Natalia Benquet, has been incredibly supportive, we’re very grateful.”

Farming as a Family, Building for the Future

In 2024, their son Cedrick joined the team as herd manager.

“We’re proud to have family involved, it means a lot to build something together,” says Lorina.

Their two daughters are also forging their own successful paths:

• Coleen is a chartered accountant and financial auditor based in Dunedin.
• Shaina recently completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) and now works as a national food safety coordinator in Auckland.

Looking Ahead

The Ebron’s are in their fourth season with Dairy Holdings and remain focused on their long-term goal: to grow their herd, move into sharemilking, and eventually own their own farm.

“We’re not just building a career, we’re building a future,” says Joselito.

Dairy Holdings is committed to growing the Dairy Industry by investing in people inside and out of the business.

With a strategy that speaks directly to developing breadth and depth of leadership across our team, we are excited to introduce the Dairy Holdings Graduate Programme. This is a new initiative to support the next generation of leaders in dairy, with two positions commencing in February 2026.

Over twelve months, graduates will rotate through four key areas of the business:

• Dairy Operations – hands-on involvement in everything related to dairy farming.
• Grazing Operations – hands on involvement in everything related to running a grazing block.
• Supervisory team – people leadership and operational oversight
• Support team– Finance, Environment, and Safety

Each rotation is designed to provide a broad foundation of knowledge and experience, ensuring graduates understand operational excellence and business performance.

At the end of the programme, graduates may be offered an ongoing role within Dairy Holdings, most likely in an on-farm position.

This opportunity is suited to individuals who are:

• Ambitious, adaptable, and motivated to succeed
• Passionate about dairying, agribusiness, and leadership
• Keen to learn and contribute to a high performing team

You may be completing a Lincoln University degree in agriculture, ag-commerce, science, or another related field.

What’s non-negotiable is your enthusiasm for people, your commitment to learning, and your willingness to work hard to achieve outcomes for yourself and the wider business.

Applications open 22 September – 5 October 2025.

To apply please email you CV and academic record to jobs@dairyholdings.co.nz

Apply now to begin your journey with an established, forward-thinking business that knows its greatest opportunity is its people.

For more information about Dairy Holdings, visit farmsthatgrowsfarmers

Or email Becky at becky.rickard@dairyholdings.co.nz

Contract milkers Jan and Sheri Barros have found their stride and are in their second season at Cantley farm milking 877 cows. With the support of Dairy Holdings, they have not only expanded their dairy farming expertise but also built the family-centred lifestyle they were looking for.

"We came down to check out the farms, saw the opportunity, and decided to take a leap," Jan shares. "It was outside our comfort zone, but we were after more time as a family, and the Dairy Holdings model gave us that."

Farming as a family has been a game changer. "You're working, but it doesn't feel like work – it's a lifestyle," says Sheri.

Building Skills and Confidence

While Jan and Sheri bring several years of experience to Cantley, they appreciate there is plenty more to learn, and they are eager to take advantage of all the opportunities offered to them through Dairy Holdings. They’ve valued being able to tap into the experience of others and dedicated coaching opportunities through Dairy Holdings discussion groups. Jan and Sheri have embraced the learning opportunities within Dairy Holdings. The discussion groups run by Natalia Benquet (Farm Systems Coach) have been hugely valuable: "You walk away with insights that are practical and relevant to your own farm."

The learning doesn't stop at farm management. Earlier in the season, they completed The Roadmap Course, a financial planning programme designed specifically for Dairy Holdings contract milkers and future sharemilkers. "It's changed the way we think – we've come away more focused and ready for the future."

Safety Culture

With a young family, farm safety features highly for Sheri and Jan. Initially, the Dairy Holdings company-wide reporting system was a big shift from privately run farms, but it quickly proved its value. "We can easily report incidents, track hazards, and put controls in place to keep everyone safe on farm."

Strong Performance Results

While having the right processes in place is an important step, seeing this transfer into results is the real measure of success. : "We've achieved an 83% six-week in-calf rate this season" (Dairy Holdings' averages of 76% in Southland and Canterbury, and 79% in Waitaki.)

Comprehensive Support

There is a lot to learn when starting out as a contract milker, so Jan and Sheri value the expertise around them.

• Farm Environment Plan completed in January with help from Sustainability Manager Brian Gallagher and Sustainability Assistant Ellie Bird.
• Support from Leonie Spriging with stock records.
• Guidance from Farm Supervisor Jeremy Dyson.

"Jeremy is quick to respond and offers thoughtful guidance," Jan says. "And Sophie and the accounts team are also a big part of helping us run smoothly."

The Dairy Holdings Difference

For Jan and Sheri, joining Dairy Holdings has delivered exactly what they were seeking, professional growth supported by the right processes, and most importantly, the family lifestyle they wanted. Their success at Cantley proves that sometimes the best opportunities come from stepping outside your comfort zone, especially when backed by the right support system.

From the skyscrapers of Colombo to the rolling green fields of Tapanui, Chinthaka Dayananda’s journey from Sri Lanka to New Zealand is a story of courage, change, and a deep commitment to building a better future.

In Colombo, Chinthaka worked in a corporate bank, but his heart was always outdoors. He shifted to dairy farming in the Matale District, where he found real satisfaction working with animals and nature. After four years as an Assistant Farm Manager, a new opportunity came through his wife’s uncle, Basil Hewage, already working in Southland.

A New Life in Southland.

In 2022, Chinthaka took a leap, leaving behind his wife and twin boys to begin a new chapter in Southland as a Herd Manager. “It was heartbreaking to leave them behind,” he reflects, “but we knew it was the right step for our children’s future.”

Chinthaka still remembers the moment New Zealand came into view. “From 10,000 feet up, it took my breath away. Snow-covered mountains, lush fields, and blue skies - it made me feel hopeful.” The drive to Drummond through the southern countryside confirmed he’d made the right call. Living with Basil made the transition smoother. “He helped me settle in quickly. I’m very grateful.”

When Basil stepped into a contract milking role at Dairy Holdings’ Brooksdale farm, Chinthaka moved to Tapanui as well, where his family joined him in 2023. “It’s one of the best rural towns in Southland,” he says. “The people are welcoming, and everything you need is here - kindergarten, school, medical centre, pool, and a library. We feel really supported.”

Growing with Dairy Holdings.

Chinthaka is now progressing to 2IC. “I wanted to keep developing, and Dairy Holdings has been the perfect place to do that. Even with experience, it was all new. Open grazing, managing 1,000 cows with a small team, working in the cold. The first couple of months were a rollercoaster, but I adapted.”

“Ongoing training and support have made a big difference. Early on, courses with Primary ITO helped me understand New Zealand systems, but the real development came through Dairy Holdings. Vehicle training for quadbikes, two wheelers and tractors, health and safety, first aid, and pasture management have all boosted my skills and confidence.”

Chinthaka also values the strong network around him. “Support from our farm supervisor, Nick Rowe, and connecting with other operators through NZDIA and within Dairy Holdings has given me a real sense of support. You are looked after here. There’s structure, guidance, and genuine opportunity if you’re willing to put in the work.”

Building a Future.

Community has played a big role in feeling at home. “Tapanui is a special place. And we’ve made close friends too with other Dairy Holdings farm operators.”

Looking ahead, Chinthaka has big aspirations. “I’m proud of how far we’ve come, but there’s always more to learn. I want to keep progressing - to contract milking, then sharemilking, and eventually, I’d like to own my own dairy farm here in New Zealand. That’s my goal, and I’m working smart to get there.”

The move hasn’t been without its sacrifices, but the rewards are already clear. “There’s more freedom here, less traffic, and a better education for our boys. You can build equity faster and the quality of life is high. For us, it was a chance worth taking.”

From the outskirts of Baguio City, Philippines, to managing the Dairy Holdings Fereday Grazing Block in New Zealand, Charlton’s journey has been one of adaptability and progression. Initially studying computer technology, he later switched to arts and sciences at university and gained hands-on experience working on local farms during breaks.

A trip to Japan after university broadened his perspective, revealing opportunities beyond the Philippines. In 2013, encouraged by his cousin, he took a chance on a one-year farm assistant role at an 1100 cow dairy farm in Doyleston, Canterbury, New Zealand.

The transition to a new lifestyle was challenging, but finding a sense of community at a local church, where he connected with a Filipino community that included Dairy Holdings employees, helped ease the adjustment. Their support and insights sparked his interest in pursuing a career with Dairy Holdings, so when a 2IC position opened at Fereday Dairy, he joined and became part of what he fondly calls ‘the A-team’.

Through a wide range of learning opportunities, including discussion groups and training days, Charlton has connected with other Dairy Holdings operators, which has been instrumental in advancing his career. He has now progressed to become the farm manager of the neighbouring Fereday Grazing Block, where he continues to thrive and evolve within the Dairy Holdings family.

Charlton praises their commitment to family values, development, and creating a supportive environment. “We work as ‘us’, not ‘them and you’. The support from the big team at Dairy Holdings and the relationships across the farms make it feel like a real community,” he shares.

He also appreciates Dairy Holdings' approach to health and safety: “Dairy Holdings prioritizes safety, ensuring we come home safely every day.”

Charlton describes his move to New Zealand as ‘a blessing’, as he embraces the Kiwi lifestyle, enjoying fishing and spending time with friends, while continuing to manage the Fereday Grazing Block.