Bertrams are cream of the crop!
Manawatū farmers Nick and Rosemarie Bertram are the 2020 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year.
The winner will be announced at the 2016 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards dinner in Wellington on May 14. They and the winners in the New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions will share $170,000 in prizes.
The New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year judges began 11 days of touring in Northland this month, assessing regional finalists Glen and Trish Rankin.
Judges Abby Scott (DairyNZ), Mark Horgan (Westpac) and Thames dairy farmer Neil Gray will drive 2000km and fly to visit finalists on their farms at Otautau, Leeston and Springs Junction in the South Island, and Foxton, Whakatane, Pepepe and Dannevirke in the North Island.
"Judging is a huge deal for these finalists as the national results can create huge opportunities for them and their career in the dairy industry," general manager Chris Keeping says.
"Just preparing for judging is hugely valuable as the finalists gain a better understanding of their farm business and career aspirations, plus steps to take to achieve their goals. However they place at nationals, they will have gained a lot from the experience."
The finalists are sharemilkers, contract milkers and equity farm managers – all self-employed.
For three finalists it is their first entry; another three finalists are in for a fourth time.
"Many have had careers outside the dairy industry and bring experience in a variety of fields – teaching, journalism, sales, finance and forestry."
Most are aged in their 30s; one finalist is over 40. Three of the finalists own or contract-milk herds of 300 or fewer; four have herds larger than 600 cows.
The judging ends this week with Manawatu regional finalist Stephen Shailer.
The finalists meet in Wellington that night and embark on activities leading to the awards dinner. Their last hurdle is an interview in Wellington with the judges, plus New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Trust chairman Alister Body.
The awards are sponsored by Westpac, DairyNZ, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda Motorcycles, LIC, Meridian Energy, New Zealand Farm Source, Ravensdown and Primary ITO.
