Benefits abound for 2011 Dairy Trainee of the Year

MEDIA RELEASE

2 November 2011

Benefits abound for 2011 Dairy Trainee of the Year

New Zealand’s 2011 Dairy Trainee of the Year, Ben Smith, has reaped the benefits of being involved in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards since his win in May this year.

“The competition proved to me that I’m on the right track and that the direction I’m heading is the right one,” Ben says. “I now have a huge range of contacts in the industry to help me gain knowledge and grow as a dairy farmer, and since the awards got my name out there I have moved into a farm management position. It has really helped me progress in my career.”

Entries are now open for the 2012 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards and Ben is hoping to encourage other young dairy trainees to enter. The Dairy Trainee of the Year award is open to 18-30 year olds who have been employed on a dairy farm for less than five years. Entrants can be studying at any level but judging is based on the National Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4).

Ben says the networking opportunities were one of the best things about the competition.

“I met a wide range of people from dairy farmers through to people who service the industry,” he says. “The industry leaders I met will be valuable contacts as I progress through the industry. It’s a great opportunity to learn from people.”

He also got the chance to spend five days in Southland on a study tour in the lead up to the national final with the other regional Dairy Trainee of the Year winners.

“It was awesome to meet the other regional Dairy Trainees of the Year from across the country. They were all driven and passionate about the industry,” he says. “Being able to mix and mingle and gain contacts with other likeminded individuals was amazing.”

Ben is an advocate of up skilling through training and is completing his National Certificate in Agriculture, Dairy Farming, Level 4, through AgITO.

“The Level 4 qualification is giving me a firm grounding in on-farm knowledge and the theory behind the practical work I’m doing on farm,” he says.

“The classes reinforce the theory side of what you’re doing and they’re a good forum for questions. AgITO training gives you an amazing grounding in knowledge,” he says. “It’s not used enough. There is a broad spectrum of qualifications that can help you with a lot of things”

Ben wants other aspiring dairy farmers to give the awards a go and learn from the experience, which includes practical skills sections and interviews with the judges.

“Just being involved in a competition tests what you know,” he says. “There are opportunities to get ahead through networking and meeting leaders associated with the industry – it will blow you away.

“What have you got to lose? Everyone that enters benefits – and not just from winning.”

Entries for Dairy Trainee of the Year are open until 20 December 2011. Entries received before 1 December will go in the draw to win a Honda bike. To enter and for further details about the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, go to www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

ENDS

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