Tutor in finals for top award

Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytech agriculture tutor Greg Brady is a finalist in the Beef + Lamb NZ Sheep and Beef Consultant of the Year award.

Rotorua-based Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic agriculture tutor Greg Brady is a finalist in the Beef + Lamb NZ Sheep and Beef Consultant of the Year award.

Mr Brady has worked at Waiariki for 12 years as a primary industries faculty tutor and has seen the agriculture department grow from himself to 15 fulltime tutors and two part-time tutors.

He has been involved in the agricultural industry almost all of his life and was regarded by students as someone who has a wealth of knowledge and is "approachable, patient, clued up, and a real good mate".

A senior member of the NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management, Mr Brady was previously named New Zealand's best agriculture tutor. He won the AgExcel Excellence in Tutoring award in 2014, beating more than 100 other tutors nationally.

"I am continually updating my knowledge and competence by attending as many farm monitor/discussion field days, seminars, conferences, workshops, short courses and extensive reading," he said.

His work includes the preparation of new workbooks and assessments and he was involved in the PrimaryITO whanau based learning Maori Pilot Scheme in Te Kuiti. He was also programme co-ordinator for the PrimaryITO level two national certificate in general skills and national diploma in agribusiness.

There were 16 finalists in three categories and the winners would be announced by Farmax at the NZIPIM National Conference at Rydges Rotorua, on August 8.

Farmax general manager Gavin McEwen said the response to the awards had been great.

NZIPIM chief executive Stephen Macaulay said rural professionals play an important role in providing high quality professional advice and services to the farming community. "With the dairy industry facing its third season under a low dairy payout, the role of rural professionals is increasing in significance."

Last year's dairy award was won by Phil Journeaux from AgFirst's Waikato office in Hamilton. Lycinda Lett, also from AgFirst Waikato, won the emerging rural professional award. The sheep and beef award was won by Sully Alsop of BakerAg in Masterton.