160 entries so far

Three of the bikes, valued at $4000, will be drawn from those that enter either the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year or the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year contest online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz before December 1. One bike will be given away to earlybird entrants in each contest.

National Convenor Chris Keeping says it is the second year the awards has been able to provide the generous incentive for people to enter the competitions early.

"Right now, we've got about 50 entries in each of the competitions so there are pretty good odds for people to win one of these bikes."

Keeping says entrants also have the opportunity to win great prizes on offer by each of the 12 regions hosting competitions around the country. The regional winners can then win further prizes in the national finals.

"The fabulous aspect of the dairy industry awards is past winners all say that the other intangible benefits gained from entering the awards provide the best prize.

"Past entrants and winners all talk about the opportunities gained to network and meet with other motivated farmers and rural professionals, as well as gaining feedback on how they can lift their farm business performance to take the next step in their dairying career.

"It is also amazing to see the increased confidence and self-esteem that comes from entering the awards and progressing through the judging process."

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner AgITO.

Since entries opened on November 1, 168 entries have been received, including 47 in the sharemilker/equity farmer contest, 55 in the farm manager contest and 66 in the dairy trainee contest. For a large proportion of the early entries, it is their first time entering the awards – 123 are entering for the first time.

The Taranaki region is leading the number of entries received in the sharemilker/equity farmer contest with eight entries, Northland has the most farm manager entries with 10, and the Waikato and Canterbury/North Otago regions have both received 10 entries in the dairy trainee contest.

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

There are some conditions on eligibility for the earlybird entry prize draw.