Dairy awards
OPINION: Results of regional New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) are trickling in but there's a worrying trend emerging.
Entries closed last week; 117 entries were received in the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer contest, 163 entered the Farm Manager competition and 259 entered the Dairy Trainee of the Year contest.
National convenor Chris Keeping is thrilled.
“It’s a great result and we are really thrilled with the response,” she says.
“Given the circumstances with a lower forecast milk payout, a challenging spring in some parts of the country and a change to the timing of entries being accepted we are really pleased.
“The numbers ensure strong competitions will run in each of our 11 regions and that is great for the entrants, for the competitions and for us as organisers of the awards.”
The Canterbury/North Otago region recorded the most entries with 75 in all, with the Waikato region second with 64 total entries. The Southland/Otago and Manawatu regions received 59 and 54 entries respectively.
The awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, New Zealand Farm Source, Ravensdown, and Triplejump, along with industry partner Primary ITO.
Keeping says preparations are now underway for regional judging that will begin in the New Year. All entrants will be invited to attend events to meet each other and learn about what to expect in the judging process.
“All entrants can give themselves a huge pat on the back as they’ve taken an important step in enhancing their career and farm business just by entering the awards.”
Visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz for more information and to view an events calendar of the regional competitions.
