For Immediate Release

4 December 2013

Sharemilker Win Gives Profile & Confidence

The benefits from participating in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are still flowing for the inaugural winners of the Sharemilker of the Year contest in 1990.

Taranaki’s Kevin and Diane Goble won the contest, which boosted their profile among peers and the wider farming community.

At an event to mark the competition’s 25th anniversary recently, the Gobles said the trip down memory lane had made them realise what an honour it was to win the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year contest. “Winning the contest gave us the confidence in our farming ability and decision-making which helped when moving up to farm ownership.”

Entries in the 2014 awards, including the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions, are being accepted at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz until December 20.

The Gobles now own farms milking 620 cows at Okato and a farm at Waverley milking 400 cows.

Mr Goble said he was involved with the local organising committee for a few years following the couple’s win. “We have made a lot of friends and acquaintances from this competition and over the years we have all moved through the sharemilking farm purchase cycle, and have been able to share ideas along the way.”

Judges had identified strengths in their financial management and understanding of associated costs, he said. “This was a huge benefit to us when we were purchasing our first farm and in dealing with the banks, giving us confidence in our farm budgets and cost analysis.

“Having to present your farming business and have it scrutinised by the judges means you need to know your business and you learn a lot about what you are doing and why in the process.”

Mr Goble said the competition would be nothing without its sponsor support and he had enjoyed the support and a long association with some of the awards sponsor representatives.

The Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, RD1, Triplejump, along with industry partner Primary ITO (formerly AgITO).

Visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz for more information and to enter. Entries close December 20.

ENDS

© Scoop Media