increase font size
Judging has begun to select the winners in the 2012 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards from the record 525 entrants.
The entrants are split among 12 regions, with regional competitions selecting the best to proceed on to the national finals. Further judging will determine the New Zealand winners in the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year contests.
By the end of March the 525 entrants will have been whittled down to 36 regional winners and just three will take out the national honours in Auckland in May.
"Entrants may think the odds of winning are against them, but we like to think all entrants are winners in the awards – by either meeting new people, learning something about themselves, setting new goals or by making improvements to their farm business," national convener Chris Keeping says.
Judging takes place throughout February and involves a two-hour on-farm presentation for entrants in the sharemilker/equity farmer and farm manager contests.
"It's really important entrants have planned how they manage this time and we try to encourage them to be original and unique, and to really demonstrate their passion for dairy farming. They should also outline their future plans and career goals."
Keeping says those who gain the most from judging are the best organised. It is recommended entrants read the judging criteria, seek advice from past entrants about what to expect, have a practice run-through and avoid any distractions.
Entrants in the dairy trainee contest will compete in a 30-minute practical session in a central location, as part of their judging criteria.
The 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.
Judging continues throughout February, with the first regional winners announced in Hawkes Bay Wairarapa on February 28.
Further information on the awards can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.
North Canterbury pig farmer Steve Sterne has been honoured with NZ Pork's Outstanding Contribution Award, recognising his 27 years of dedication to excellence in the sector.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.
The profitability of dairy farmers is likely to increase in the coming year, accordign to the latest report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the outlook for the primary sector.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…
