Sharemilker Finalists Sell Positive Dairy Industry

For Immediate Release
21 April 2009

SHAREMILKER FINALISTS SELL POSITIVE DAIRY INDUSTRY

They have differing qualifications and experience, milk varying numbers of cows and operate under different types of contracts, but the 12 finalists competing for the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year title all share one thing in common – they are passionate about the country’s dairy industry.

New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards National Convenor Chris Keeping says there was a strong message that came through from the finalists in this year’s competition.

“All the finalists believe our dairy industry offers considerable opportunities to progress and become financially successful. They also think entering the sharemilker competition will assist them to achieve their farming goals sooner,” Ms Keeping says.

“One finalist found the dairy industry to be dynamic, exciting and always providing a challenging business environment. They said it was easy to remain motivated when the opportunities to grow financially are still available even in the current economic climate.

“Another finalist newcomer to the industry appreciates the benefits of a farming business and farming lifestyle.”

Ms Keeping says organisers have had some amazing feedback from the finalists who also all have the goal of farm ownership, with some having already achieved this.

She says the finalists vary in being relatively new to the industry to those that have progressed from entering as a cadet on leaving school. They have contracts ranging from a 21% sharemilker to the more traditional 50% sharemilker and milk from 200 cows to 1400 cows.

“We have a pretty diverse group of people and that is what makes the competition so interesting and also challenging for the judges that have to pick the best looking at a range of criteria.”

The winner will be announced at a gala dinner in Wellington on May 16 and receive prizes worth more than $70,000 from a total prize pool of more than $100,000. Winners will also be announced in the New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year categories.

The New Zealand 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.

The 12 finalists and the regions they represent are:
• Greg & Phillippa Foster, Northland
• Gavin & Sally Roden, Auckland/Hauraki
• Craig & Brooke Littin, Waikato
• John & Kim Wakefield, Bay of Plenty
• Chris & Teresa Moore, Central Plateau
• Paul Davidson & Lorette Ashwood-Davidson, Taranaki
• Rowan & Rachel Baker, Manawatu/Rangitikei/Horowhenua
• Matthew Gibson, Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa
• Walter Hwata & Olga Mashazhike, West Coast/Top of the South
• Graeme Wall & Shelley Singer, Canterbury/North Otago
• Mathew & Hannah Sutherland, Otago
• Simon & Claire Light, Southland

Visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz for more information on the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards and the finalists.

ENDS

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