$5000 in prizes on offer to shepherds

GET IN BEHIND: Entries have opened for the annual Taratahi Shepherd of the Year contest and young Wairarapa shepherds are being invited to enter. PHOTO/MIKE HEYDON

Wairarapa shepherds must get in behind the second annual Taratahi Shepherd of the Year competition, says Yvonne Way, marketing and communications manager at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre.

The centre is principal sponsor of the competition, which offers a prize pool of more than $5000.

Ms Way said it was the second year of the shepherd competition, which aimed to lift the profile of shepherding as a career option "and shepherding in the Wairarapa region specifically".

The competition was designed to recognise the value of shepherds aged from 19-26 and to broaden the skill base for prospective competitors, she said, which would influence the future of farming in Wairarapa.

Taratahi sheep and beef manager Paul Crick says the competition is vital to the region and, as part of the Keinzley Agvet Sheep and Beef Farm Business of the Year event, "sends a signal that there are clear pathways to management roles in the industry".

"There are some really talented shepherds out there, and they deserve to be acknowledged and enjoy some time in the spotlight.

"I'd encourage all shepherds out there to give this competition a go.

"You will learn a lot during the process and make some good industry connections," he said.

"It's pretty simple. Have a top attitude, get qualified, find a mentor and just go for gold."

The competition will be judged on an initial written interview, in which contestants will answer questions about shepherding as a job, stock management and sub-management duties on the farm.

A pool of finalists will be selected, who will host a farm tour while outlining and answering questions about their role.

-Winners will be named during the Keinzley Agvet Wairarapa Sheep and Beef Farm Business of the Year farm field day in March 2015.

Entries close for the shepherd contest on February 27, 2015. For more information, email Delwyn Pringle at Baker and Associates, delwyn@bakerag.co.nz.