Sharemilker Contest Keen To Capture Interest

Sharemilker Contest Keen To Capture Interest

More than 50 sharemilkers have already expressed an interest in entering the 2003 New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year Competition - now organisers want that interest converted into entries.

More than 17,000 entry forms were distributed to Fonterra suppliers last week.

Competition Chairman Greg Maughan and Convenor Chris Keeping are offering the first 200 entrants a $100 voucher, courtesy of RD1. The national winner will receive prizes worth more than $30,000 from a total prize pool of $61,300.

Mr Maughan says the high level of early interest from sharemilkers is indicative of the benefits of competing in the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year competition.

“Participating sharemilkers will have their business and practical skills open to scrutiny by our judges, who provide valuable feedback that enables those sharemilkers to further refine their sharemilking operation.

“Those who do well gain recognition in the community and we have known employers, bank managers and investors to respond extremely positively to our former contestants,” Mr Maughan says.

Sharemilkers harvest about 50% of the country’s milk and play key roles in mentoring and training farm dairy staff.

“This competition seeks to recognise and promote those who are making the greatest contributions,” he says.

The regional winners will be announced in March and April and progress to a national final to be held in Auckland on May 3.

The New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year is run in association with Federated Farmers and is sponsored by the Bank of New Zealand, Ravensdown, Blue Wing Honda, RD1, Fonterra, Dairy InSight, ACC, Livestock Improvement, Dexcel and Ecolab.

Entries close on January 15, with entry forms also available from Federated Farmers 0800 327 646, competition regional convenors and participating sponsor representatives.

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