Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
Chief judge and former Dairy InSight chairman, Doug Leeder, wants Maori landowners to put their businesses on the line and reap the rewards which include great feedback, supported by free entry to DairyBase and DairyNZ on-farm analysis.
"The Ahuwhenua Trophy-BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming dairy competition is a great way of growing your business," he says.
With entries closing on Friday, January 27 there is still time to enter.
"So get hold of an entry form and send it off – there's all to gain and nothing to lose," says Leeder, a long-time Bay of Plenty dairy farmer.
Leeder has been chief judge of the Ahuwhenua Dairy competition since 2006. This year he will be assisted by Stephen Veitch, BNZ, Tafi Manjala, DairyNZ and Paul Klee, Fonterra.
The first round judges are Peter MacGregor, Paul Radich, Fonterra, Paul Bird, DairyNZ and Duncan Matthews, BNZ.
There are two judging rounds in Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. First round judges will assess all entrant farms before the three finalists are chosen, and later assessed, by the finals judges.
Entrants will be tested on a range of factors based on the efficiency with which the property is farmed relative to its potential. These include effective governance and management, attention to environmental excellence and recognition of cultural practices relevant to a farm business enterprise. Initial judging for the competition will take place in March 2012.
Entry forms are available from all offices of Te Puni Kokiri and the Maori Trustee or from Joan Nathu, 04 803 2851 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Copies of the entry form are available on www.ahuwhenuatrophy.māori.nz and www.māoritrustee.co.nz.
