Entry Deadline Looms For Dairy Excellence Awards

Entry Deadline Looms For Dairy Excellence Awards

Those considering entering the 2003 Fonterra Westpac Dairy Excellence Awards have just two weeks to send in their entry.

Project Manager David Jensen says more than 100 suppliers had expressed an interest in entering the awards, but most were yet to complete their entry form.

“We know that people like to put a lot of time and effort into their entry, but we are wary that time is running out with entries closing on February 7,” Mr Jensen says.

The awards seek to recognise and promote excellence and achievement in the dairy industry, profile dairy farming excellence and promote and develop information exchange.

Mr Jensen says supplier feedback indicates the real benefits from entering the awards are from being able to benchmark their business against others.

“They tell us the prizes, which include the opportunity for the eight regional winners and their partners to gain a unique insight into Fonterra’s markets in Asia, are just a bonus.”

He says it is also interesting that many farmers have commented that their farm business performance in the 2001/02 year, the year in which the awards will be judged upon, was not as good as the previous year. This is despite the record payout of $5.30/kg milksolids.

“It appears many farmers took the opportunity to undertake maintenance, apply capital fertiliser or make major improvements to their properties, which has tended to lessen their overall profitability.

“What people seem to forget is that everyone is judged on the same year, so will be in a similar position,” Mr Jensen says.

The Fonterra Westpac Dairy Excellence Awards offer prizes to the farm business of the year, farm manager and best environmental performer. The awards also seek to recognise contribution to the industry with a new special lifetime achievement award.

The awards have a total prize pool of $152,000 cash and a Holden vehicle, are supported by Dexcel and sponsored by Genetic Technologies, Livestock Improvement, Holden, Ravensdown, DTS and RD1.

Entrants first compete in one of eight regions, with each of the eight regional winners progressing to a national final in Palmerston North on June 27. The eight regional winners each receive a trip to two to Asia.

To enter the Fonterra Westpac Dairy Excellence Awards phone the Contact Centre on 0800 65 65 68 and ask for an entry form or download one from www.dairyexcellenceawards.co.nz Farmers can also contact their local Fonterra Field Representative, Shareholders’ Councillor or Westpac Agribusiness Manager.

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