For Immediate Release
2 December 2016
2017 DAIRY AWARDS RECEIVES 424 ENTRIES
A total of 424 entries have been received in the 2017 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, a result General Manager Chris
Keeping says is fantastic given the economic climate in the industry over the past few years.
“To achieve this number of entries, on the back of a low payout for the second year in a row, is a superb result and we
are pleased with the high calibre of entries across the three competitions,” says Mrs Keeping.
There are 103 entered in the Share Farmer of the Year competition, 170 entered in the Dairy Manager of the Year
competition and 151 entered in the Dairy Trainee of the Year competition.
Mrs Keeping said the regions have worked very hard to attract the entries and are rapt with the quality of entrants and
that all three competitions will be run in all 11 regions.
“We are lucky to have enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers who are at the heart of the regional competitions. The
Regional Managers and their committees have all worked incredibly hard over the past six weeks to ensure as many people
as possible have the chance to challenge themselves, earn a regional or national title and have a chance to share in the
substantial regional and national prize pools.”
Entrants will first compete in one of 11 regional competitions being held throughout the country in February and March
next year. The 33 winners of those competitions will progress to the national finals in May next year.
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated
Farmers, Fonterra Farm Source, Honda Motorcycles, LIC, Meridian Energy, and Ravensdown, along with industry partner
Primary ITO.
Mrs Keeping says most regions will now hold an entrant event so the entrants can gain a good understanding about what to
expect and how to prepare for judging, which will take place in late January and throughout February. “It’s also an
opportunity to meet other entrants in a social environment.”
More information on the awards can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.