For Immediate Release

11 December 2013

Entry Deadline Looms In 2014 Dairy Awards

There is about one week until entries close in the 2014 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards - the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions.

Entries are being accepted online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz and close on December 20.

National Convenor Chris Keeping says nearly 430 entries had been received to date, slightly less than at the same time last year.

“We’ve received really strong entries in the dairy trainee and the farm manager contests so far, but we are a bit behind in the sharemilker competition.

“The indications are that dairy farmers should be feeling extremely positive, with a record payout forecast and a kind spring in most regions leading to increased milk production.

“The dairy awards has also been in celebratory mood, with events to mark the 25th anniversary of the sharemilker competition – the country’s longest-running dairy farming competition.”

Mrs Keeping says the awards had received more than 220 entries in the dairy trainee contest to date, more than 125 entries in the farm manager contest and nearly 80 entries in the sharemilker competition.

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).

Entrants first compete in one of 11 regional competitions being held around the country, with all regional winners progressing to the national final. In 2014 the national final will be in Auckland.

“There’s always a great competition between the regions on who can get the most entrants,” she says. “In the last few years the contest has been fought between the Waikato and Canterbury/North Otago regions. This year it again looks like the two big regions will tussle over the top dog honours.”

She says Canterbury/North Otago is slightly ahead with 56 overall entries and Waikato is sitting on 52 entries. Southland/Otago, Manawatu/Rangitikei/Horowhenua and Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa are not far behind on 49, 47 and 45 entries respectively.

“We’ve still got just over a week to go and there’s usually a late rush of entries.”

ENDS

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