Media release
Otago Sharemilker of the Year
Supreme Sharemilker to Represent Region
Taieri sharemilker Geoffrey Wilson was named 2006 Otago Sharemilker of the year at an awards function at the Telford
Rural Polytechnic tonight.
Geoffrey (25) is milking 245 cows on the 120ha property owned by Phillip and Heather Wilson with anticipated production
of 130,000kg/ms. This is Geoffrey’s first year 50/50 sharemilking on the property.
Geoffrey had entered the competition twice previously.
“Both times in the past were really good experiences. I’ve learned a lot personally and professionally and I hope to
build on that.”
He believes well-structured, commonsense policies and being balanced and positive contributed to his success. His
farming goal is to build his equity with the aim of eventually buying his own dairy farm.
Outside work hours, Geoffrey’s interests include music, history, politics, philosophy, sport, and spending time with
family and friends.
Geoffrey Wilson will now go forward to represent Otago in the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year national final to be
held in Christchurch on May 13, competing for a national prize pool of nearly $60,000.
The 2006 New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year Competition is run in association with Federated Farmers of New Zealand
(Inc) and is sponsored by Dairy InSight, ACC, Bank of New Zealand, Blue Wing Honda, Dexcel, Ecolab, Fonterra, Livestock
Improvement and Ravensdown.
There will be a field day on the winner’s farm at 108 Grainger road, Outram on April 7. (It will be signposted on the
day
Runner up in the competition was Duncan Wells also from Taieri. Third place went to Dave and Melanie Goble from Tapanui.
Essential Nutrition – Best Animal Nutrition Geoffrey Wilson
Telford Farms – Best Contract Milker Jaco and Lani Diederiks
Balclutha Farm Machinery – Best Kept Machinery Dave and Melanie Goble
Rod Snell Memorial Trophy for Best Record Keeping sponsored by CRT Jaco and Lani Diederiks
Dairy InSight first time entrant award Dave and Melanie Goble
Federated Farmers Leadership Award Geoffrey Wilson
ACC Thinksafe Farm Safety Award Dave and Melanie Goble
Bank of New Zealand Financial Management Award Duncan Wells
Blue Wing Honda ATV Safety Award Geoffrey Wilson
Ecolab Farm Dairy Environment Award Geoffrey Wilson
LIC Best Herd Records Award Geoffrey Wilson
Ravensdown Pasture Management Award Duncan Wells
ENDS