Dairy awards: Farmers urged to get entries in

Last year's Dairy Industry Award regional winners were Christina Aitken (Dairy Trainee of the Year), Glen and Trish Rankin (Share Farmers of the Year) and Brendon Davison (Dairy Manager of the Year).

Northland dairy farmers are again being called to enter the annual competition which celebrates the cream of the region's dairy industry.

With less than two weeks until the closing date, the Northland Dairy Industry Award team had received 16 entries.

Okaihau contract milkers Lance and Stephanie Oliver are heading up the Northland competition this year, having won the Share Farmer of the Year in 2014 with their 500 cow dairy operation.

Ms Oliver encouraged farmers to enter the annual competition, as she and Mr Oliver had scooped the award despite not believing at the time that they would win.

"We had only entered the contest for the experience," she said.

"We found it was a great experience. We've made great contacts since winning."

She said they had learned to improve their business through health and safety compliance, putting deadlines to tasks and better financial awareness.

The Northland team would host an entrant and sponsor an event at Whangarei's Barge Park at 11am on December 8, with preliminary judging for Dairy Trainee of the Year taking place between January 24 and 26, with final judging on February 13.

Dairy Manager of the Year and Share Farmer of the Year contestants will have preliminary judging between January 31 and February 2, with final decisions being made between February 14 and 16.

The Northland awards dinner will take place at Forum North on March 7, while a field day at the regional winners' farm will be held on March 21.

The national finals, all being judged at the beginning of May, will see Northland's finest going up against their NZ counterparts with the national awards dinner being held at Auckland's Sky City Convention Centre on May 6.

The 2016 Northland Dairy Trainee of the Year was Ruawai's Christina Aitken, while Share Farmer of the Year winners were Kohukohu couple Glen and Trish Rankin.

The Northland Dairy Manager of the Year was Whangarei's Brendon Davison.

Entries for the three categories are being accepted now online at dairyindustry
awards.co.nz and close on November 30.

So far, there were five entries for Dairy Trainee, eight for Dairy Manager and four for Share Farmer award.

Those who entered before November 9 were also entered into a draw to win a share of $12,000 in travel vouchers and spending money. Winners for that draw will be notified on March 21.

Awards general manager Chris Keeping said the early bird prize draw was introduced to try and help farmers take a break and have some fun.

"Farming is a 24/7 career and it is so important to take time away from the farm and have a holiday.

"Many farmers use the time to enjoy family, and plan future personal and business goals," she said.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by Westpac, DairyNZ, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra Farm Source, Honda Motorcycles, LIC, Meridian Energy and Ravensdown, along with industry partner Primary ITO.