Dairy Awards Finalists Compete For $130k

For Immediate Release
30 April 2010

Dairy Awards Finalists Compete For $130k

The 36 finalists in the 2010 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are competing for about $130,000 in cash and prizes.

The winners of the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year will be announced at an awards dinner in Rotorua on May 15.

Each of the finalists has earned their right to compete in the New Zealand finals after winning their respective regional title at one of 12 regional competitions held throughout the country in February and March.

National convenor Chris Keeping says judges are visiting each sharemilker and farm manager finalist on their farm next week. The final component of the judging to determine the winner – an interview – will be held in Rotorua just before the winners are announced.

“It’s a pretty stressful, but exciting time for the finalists right now. There’s a lot for them to plan and remember, and a lot at stake for them.

“The winners will receive much more than just the cash and prizes, but an opportunity to enhance their reputation, meet a wide range of people and participate in events and forums they never thought possible.”

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

Mrs Keeping says the 2010 New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year will win more than $35,000 in cash and prizes, including a Honda farm bike. The runner-up will receive cash and prizes worth about $18,000 and the third-place-getter wins a prize package worth $11,000.

The New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year will win a prize package worth more than $14,000, with the runner-up receiving $7000 and third-place-getter taking home $3000.

The prize package for the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year winner is worth more than $8500, with the runner-up getting $3200 and third receiving $2000.

Thirteen merit awards are also given to competitors in the sharemilker and farm manager competitions and are worth $2000 to each of the winners.

Information on all of the finalists is available at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

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