Entries flood forces dairy awards rejig

BUSY TIMES: Sally Bosch said there had been a record number of entries this year.PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

A huge amount of entries from Wairarapa in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards has kept organisers busy and prompted a venue change.

Regional convenors for Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa, Sally and William Bosch, have been keeping the show ticking along by organising entrants, sponsors, meetings and preparing for the big awards night dinner in March.

Mrs Bosch said there were more than 50 entries into the awards this year with 30 Dairy Trainee of the Year entries - a record number for the region, 14 Farm Manager of the Year entries and eight Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year entries.

Entries have been growing over the years, especially in the Trainee of the Year category, she said.

"I think people are really starting to understand the benefits of it."

Entries closed in December last year and 18 finalists have been chosen, vying for a total of $62,000 in prizes.

Usually held at the Copthorne in Solway, this year's awards will be held at Masterton War Memorial Stadium.

Mrs Bosch said the venue was bigger and accommodated more people and expected about 450 people to attend the event.

"It's going to be interesting and really exciting to see how it goes at the stadium."

Mrs Bosch said many employers go to the awards night looking for staff and many people get jobs out of it.

"If I was employing someone and they had entered the awards, I can see they are dedicated and interested in the dairy industry."

The Boschs, young dairy farmers in Martinborough, are actually previous winners in the awards and they were asked to be convenors after winning the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year for Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa in 2012.

With three young children and one on the way, she said convening has been quite a lot of work but she has really enjoyed it.

Winning the award had been very beneficial for the couple's business.

"It's made us analyse our business better, it's built our confidence and I think convening the awards makes you realise what you can achieve."

They have also built networks with many people in the industry, she said.

"That side of it has been the most positive experience, the amount of people we've met is incredible."

The winners for the Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa region will be announced March 11.The finals are in Auckland in May.