Last call for dairy entries

Entries in the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions are being accepted online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz and close this Friday, December 20.

In 2014 the 11 regional dairy industry awards competitions will give away more than $550,000 in cash and prizes, while those that progress to the national finals will compete for a prize pool worth a further $160,000.

National convenor Chris Keeping says the winner of the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity farmer contest will take home prizes worth more than $40,000, including a Honda Big Red farm quad bike valued at $25,000. The New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year will win prizes worth $24,500 and the national trainee winner will collect more than $16,000 in prizes.

"It's our biggest prize pool yet and will mean our national winners take home some great prizes as well as the honour and prestige associated with becoming a dairy industry awards winner."

Keeping is hopeful of a late surge of entries – particularly in the sharemilker/equity farmer contest – as entries are behind at the same time last year.

About 460 entries had been received to date, including 82 in the sharemilker/equity farmer, 134 in the farm manager and more than 240 in the dairy trainee contest.

A record 566 entries were received in the 2013 awards.

The Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, RD1, Triplejump, along with industry partner Primary ITO (formerly AgITO).

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