Awards win makes kids super proud of parents
Waikato's top share farmers of the year, Logan and Sian Dawson, are chuffed to see their kids so proud of their achievement.
The New Zealand Dairy Awards is taking a leaf out of cricket's book to make the competition more interesting.
A 'power play' concept now features in the 2016 awards scheme. It enables an entrant in the awards' Dairy Manager of the Year (formerly Farm Manager of the Year) competition to choose one topic from five options to present to judges.
In cricket power play is used in limited overs games and includes mandatory field restrictions.
NZ Dairy Awards general manager Chris Keeping says judging is now underway in the awards, and feedback on how the power play concept is working for entrants and judges is positive.
"The power play lets an entrant draw on their strengths and gives each presentation an individual flair."
Keeping says the component is worth 20% of total marks and is aimed at appealing to entrants of all ages.
All the competitions are revamped for 2016 to enable more people to enter and to make the competitions more even.
"The upshot is that the dairy manager competition caters for a wide range of age, abilities and experience in the industry. Power play assists all entrants to focus on one area they know well, and are trained and confident in."
The five options to choose from are farm financial, health and safety, technology and innovation, team management, and farm environment.
Industry training organisation Primary ITO sponsors a merit award for the entrant who scores highest in the power play.
"Primary ITO is proud to support the new power play category in this year's NZDIA competition. The Power Play merit award encourages entrants to play to their strengths, and we believe this kind of adaptability is vital to dairying success," explains Primary ITO chief executive Mark Jeffries.
"The industry needs people who are flexible, technically capable and innovative problem solvers with critical thinking skills. We have embraced this holistic approach in our new agricultural training programmes that aim to 'work the way you work' – designed to ensure our trainees leave with the skills and knowledge required to consistently perform in the workplace.
"We must create lifelong learners and the Power Play award, encouraging initiative and flexibility, helps develop the skills required to negotiate the peaks and troughs of the dairy sector."
Entrants in the Dairy Manager of the Year competition are also judged on their farming abilities, stock management, feed management, and personal attributes such as community involvement, training, goal setting and presentation skills.
The awards are supported by Westpac, DairyNZ, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra Farm Source, Honda Motorcycles, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and Primary ITO.
The first 2016 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards regional winners will be announced in Taranaki on March 4. www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…
OPINION: Synlait's financial woes won’t be going away anytime soon.