A PASSION for the industry has given Jake Connor, Nangkita, the title SA Young Dairyfarmer of the Year.
Mr Connor, 22, who operates a 550-cow dairy with his parents and siblings, said the win was an honour that reflected his interest in the dairy industry.
"I feel that it is a wonderful industry to be involved in with huge opportunities," he said.
Mr Connor grew up on the farm and said he was always "fairly involved" in the operation.
"Once I finished Year 12, I knew that this was what I wanted to do," he said.
"I've never been able to see myself doing anything else."
Mr Connor has an interest in the pasture side of the operation and is responsible for the management of the 770 hectares across five properties.
This includes the 410ha milking area, with the remainder leasehold properties to run heifers and dry cows.
"I like being able to grow pastures and feed that to cows and turn it into milk," he said.
This interest started at a young age when he would sit-in at meetings between his father Michael and local agronomist FD Ag's Greg Mitchell.
Mr Connor works closely with Mr Mitchell.
Mr Connor has also worked his way through a Certificate 3 and 4 in Agriculture at tafeSA, and started his Diploma in Agriculture this year.
He is involved in two discussion groups, including the Mount Jagged one his father had been involved with, and one focused on young farmers on the Fleurieu.
He has also been involved in the Cows Create Careers program, taking dairy calves into Westminster School, Marion.
"You take calves to city-based students and see the interest in these kids and the excitement of something out of the ordinary," Mr Connor said.
Mr Connor and his siblings are all involved in the farm's operations, along with their young team of staff.
Retaining young people in the dairy industry was a "fairly big" concern throughout the nation, but there were plenty of opportunities for those involved.
The Young Dairyfarmer competition was just one example of what was out there for young farmers.
Mr Connor is also a member of the Yundi CFS, is on the Compass Cup Committee, on the Local Tim Stokes Scholarship Fund panel and is the Nangkita representative for Rural Watch.
Runner-up in the competition was Mel Halse, Normanville, who works as a senior farmhand for the Watson family at Inman Valley, and is farm manager at Alexandrina Cheese Co at Mount Jagged.
Third place went to Ollie Abblitt, herd manager for Glencoe West dairyfarmers, the Cleggett family.
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