Deadline looms for $30k farm award

VICTORY SPOILS: Winning 2014 Wairarapa sheep and beef farmers Donald McCreary and Anna Johnson with Roger Barton from the John Daniell Memorial Trust.

The final call is out for entries for the 2015 Wairarapa Sheep and Beef Farm Business of the Year competition, worth $30,000.

The aim of the annual contest, for which entries close on Friday, was to promote innovative sheep and beef farming in the district and celebrate farmers who demonstrate a well-balanced and positive approach to their business, says Yvonne Way, marketing and communications manager at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre.

The winner will walk away with about $30,000 in cash and products, Ms Way said, and their work will be promoted at a public field day on their own property early next year.

Ms Way said the winning farmer will share management policies and farming objectives at the field day and answers questions from other farmers.

The event usually attracts up to 150 farmers and is "a valuable opportunity to network and share ideas and knowledge".

A highlight at the field day will be the naming of the winner of the Taratahi Shepherd of the Year competition, Ms Way said.

The competition, in its second year, recognises the value of young shepherds aged from 19 to 26 and the contest aimed to broaden the skills "at sub-management level for people who will have an influence on the future of farming in Wairarapa".

Entries to the shepherd competition open on December 1 and close February 27 next year.

The farm business competition is open to any farmer - lessee or owner - or farm manager in the district whose farm income is derived mainly from sheep and cattle. Previous entrants are eligible.

Sully Alsop, of Baker & Associates, said the calibre of entries to the Farm Business of the Year was always high.

"We have some outstanding farmers in the area, people who work hard to create innovative, thriving businesses and who are always thinking, what can I do next to improve the farm?"

For more information about the farm business contest or the shepherd competition email Delwyn Pringle at delwyn@bakerag.co.nz at Baker and Associates.