Workers a big part of the farming business
"We couldn't do this without our team. They are integral to everything." That's the first thing that Te Awamutu dairy farmers Jayson and Stacey Thompson have to say about their team.
Entries in the 2017 New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year, Dairy Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions are now being accepted online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz and close on November 30.
Those that enter by midnight on November 9 will go into the Early Bird Entry Prize Draw and be in with a chance to win a share of $12,000 in travel vouchers and spending money.
One travel voucher and accompanying spending money will be given to an early entrant in each competition. There are three prize draws in total.
“We think the Early Bird Entry Prize Draw of travel vouchers and spending money is one way we can help dairy farmers take a break and for them to have some fun,” awards general manager Chris Keeping says.
“Farming is a 24/7 career and it is so important to take time away from the farm and have a holiday. Many farmers use the time to enjoy family, and plan future personal and business goals.”
The prize draw for early entrants in the Share Farmer competition is valued at $6000, while it is worth $4000 for those eligible in the Dairy Manager competition and $2000 for eligible Dairy Trainee competition entrants.
Keeping says more than 120 people have already entered the 2017 awards programme, which aims to assist people to progress in their dairy farming career.
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra Farm Source, Honda Motorcycles, LIC, Meridian Energy, and Ravensdown, along with industry partner Primary ITO.
More information on the three competitions can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz
*To be eligible for the Early Bird Entry Prize Draw, entrants must enter by midnight on November 9 and complete the judging process for the competition entered. The winners will be drawn from eligible entrants on March 20, 2017 and notified by phone and online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz on March 21, 2017.
