Recognition: National Herd Improvement Association of Australia young achiever award-winner Adam Hickey.
Numurkah Nu-Genes director Adam Hickey has been recognised by the National Herd Improvement Association of Australia, winning its young achiever award.
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The 30-year-old said he would use the $2500 prize money to foster youth within the industry and was formulating a plan to promote herd improvement as a career for school students.
“I’ve always enjoyed the work. It’s out and about, and you are on farms, working with different people and generating good relationships,” Mr Hickey said.
A typical workday includes early morning farm visits, artificial insemination and ultrasound pregnancy testing.
“I had a little taste of the job working part-time while studying to become a teacher. I enjoyed it so much I took up the offer of full-time employment,” Mr Hickey said.
He started working at Numurkah Nu-Genes in 2013.
NHIA created the award in 2020 to recognise people in the industry aged 35 years and under and support their professional and personal development.
At the same ceremony, held in Moama on March 16, NHIA awarded its long-standing prestigious meritorious service award, the Laurie Wells Award, to the late Don Harris.
Mr Harris was the driving force behind the rapid growth of the northern Victorian herd improvement industry in the 1970s.
He expanded, renamed and modernised the offering of the Northern Herd Development co-operative.
Former NHD director and dairy farmer Stewart Peace described Mr Harris as a “visionary manager” who led NHD to become one of the best and largest herd improvement operations in the country.
“Don’s belief was that herd improvement could create better wellbeing and profit for dairy farmers,” Mr Peace said.
“Don would have been embarrassed about receiving recognition for his work, as it wasn’t about him — it was all about the benefits for herd improvement and farmers.”
Mr Harris was represented at the presentation by family members Leibi Harris, Leslie McDonald and Meryl Smith.
Services to the industry: Representing the late Don Harris at the National Herd Improvement Association of Australia awards were his family members Meryl Smith, Leslie McDonald and Leibi Harris.
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