Media release
2 May 2006
Sharemilkers Vie For Rich Prize Pool
The top sharemilkers for 2006 will compete this year for a national prize pool of more than $65,000.
Entrants in this year’s competition have already picked up more than $250,000 worth of regional prizes between them on
their way through to contest the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year title on May 13 in Christchurch.
“Our family of sponsors has been very generous in putting up prizes in cash and product,” says the Sharemilker of the
Year management committee chairman, Alison Watters.
“While we know sharemilkers enter the competition for many reasons outside of the prizes, it’s still great to see them
taking home tangible evidence of their achievements.”
Competition owner, Federated Farmers and all the sponsors - Dairy InSight, ACC, Bank of New Zealand, Blue Wing Honda,
Dexcel, Ecolab, Fonterra, Livestock Improvement and Ravensdown contribute prizes to the first three place getters.
They also provide a merit award prize for the national finalist who is judged best in their particular field of
interest.
Merit awards this year are the Dairy InSight Interview Award, the Ravensdown Pasture Management Award, Ecolab Farm Dairy
Environment Award, LIC Herd Records Award, ACC Thinksafe Sharemilker Award, Bank of New Zealand financial Management
Award, and the Federated Farmers Leadership Award.
Fonterra contributes generously to the first three placegetters’ prizes and Blue Wing Honda puts a huge grin on the
faces of first placegetters who take home a $16,000 Honda TRX 500 FA ATV as part of their $35,000 New Zealand
Sharemilker of the year package.
“The national final gala dinner is a truly glittering occasion,” Mrs Watters says. “I understand from the judges that
the calibre of our 12 regional finalists this year is outstanding. So the people who take home these prizes will be
truly deserving of them.”
A limited number of tickets are still available for the event and can be reserved by contacting Federated Farmers 0800
327 646.
Ends