Dairy Trainee Finalists To Go On Study Tour

For Immediate Release
23 April 2009

Dairy Trainee Finalists To Go On Study Tour

The two women and 10 men vying to be New Zealand’s best dairy farming trainee are going on a study tour.

New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards National Convenor Chris Keeping says the 12 regional finalists will meet some award-winning farmers, gain an insight into Massey University’s dairy farm research including a visit to the Massey No 4 dairy farm, and visit Fonterra Innovation, its research centre.

“We’ve worked really hard to put together an interesting, informative and fun study tour that we think will be one of the highlights of their experience as a regional dairy trainee winner.

“During the time this group spends together, they’ll also build friendships and networks that will last throughout their dairying career.”

The winner of the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year will be announced at a gala dinner in Wellington on May 16. The New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year and New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year will also be announced on the night. In all, more than $100,000 in prizes will be won.

Ms Keeping says it is only the second time the dairy trainee contest has progressed to a national competition, with an accompanying study tour.

“We’re really pleased that this group is going to go to the farm of current New Zealand Sharemilkers of the Year Ben and Nicky Allomes and have an opportunity to meet and question Maori Farmer of the Year Dean Nikora.

“They’re also going to have some fun by visiting the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka.”

She says the finalists have a range of backgrounds and aspirations, with some targeting farm ownership and others keen to move into farm management and equity partnerships.

The finalists and the regions they represent are:
• Charlotte Barr, Northland
• Ben Rohrlach, Auckland/Hauraki
• Blair Jackson, Waikato
• Mark Nicholas, Bay of Plenty
• Andrew Gerritsen, Central Plateau
• Alexander Dean, Taranaki
• Luke Cosgrove, Manawatu/Rangitikei/Horowhenua
• John Wyatt, Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa
• Jamie Knight, West Coast/Top of the South
• Emma O’Connell, Canterbury/North Otago
• Anthony Bishell, Otago
• Adam Waite, Southland

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.

ends

© Scoop Media