Record Entries Received In Dairy Awards

For Immediate Release
21 January 2009

Record Entries Received In Dairy Awards

Nearly 400 entries have been received in the 2009 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, incorporating the Sharemilker of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions.

National Convenor Chris Keeping says 399 entries were received in total, with record entries received in both the Farm Manager and Dairy Trainee categories.

“We are really pleased with how entries have been growing in both the farm manager and dairy trainee competitions, as they are both relatively new competitions and aim to help young people take the next step in their dairying careers.”

A total of 127 entries were received in the Sharemilker of the Year competition, 130 entries in the Farm Manager of the Year and 142 entries were received in the Dairy Trainee of the Year contest.

Last year’s New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year winner Cameron Mitchell was pleased to hear of the record entries in the trainee contest.

Mr Mitchell, who represented the Northland region, says there are a number of benefits from entering – the biggest being participating.

“Entering has helped me gain confidence and taught me to back myself, as well it has introduced me to a lot of people that I wouldn’t have had a chance to meet otherwise from around New Zealand.”

He says his success made it easier for him to progress his career, faster. He has entered a partnership that has purchased a 1000-cow herd and established a sharemilking company. He is now the operations manager for that company.

Mr Mitchell’s advice to all entrants is to prepare well for the judges, to study and to relax.

The Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, Honda, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner Agriculture ITO.

Ms Keeping says the Canterbury region received the most entries for the first time, beating the perennially top achiever Waikato by four entries with its 56 entries received.

“All entrants are now preparing for their regional judging that takes place throughout February. It can be a pretty intense time having other people scrutinise your farm business and skills, but it also is a time that offers great opportunities for entrants to learn and gain valuable feedback from the judges’ wealth of experience.”

She says the 12 regional awards dinners begin in late February, with all regional winners progressing to the national final in Wellington on May 16.

Further information on the awards can be found on the awards’ website, www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

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