increase font size
Judging has begun to select the winners in the 2012 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards from the record 525 entrants.
The entrants are split among 12 regions, with regional competitions selecting the best to proceed on to the national finals. Further judging will determine the New Zealand winners in the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year contests.
By the end of March the 525 entrants will have been whittled down to 36 regional winners and just three will take out the national honours in Auckland in May.
"Entrants may think the odds of winning are against them, but we like to think all entrants are winners in the awards – by either meeting new people, learning something about themselves, setting new goals or by making improvements to their farm business," national convener Chris Keeping says.
Judging takes place throughout February and involves a two-hour on-farm presentation for entrants in the sharemilker/equity farmer and farm manager contests.
"It's really important entrants have planned how they manage this time and we try to encourage them to be original and unique, and to really demonstrate their passion for dairy farming. They should also outline their future plans and career goals."
Keeping says those who gain the most from judging are the best organised. It is recommended entrants read the judging criteria, seek advice from past entrants about what to expect, have a practice run-through and avoid any distractions.
Entrants in the dairy trainee contest will compete in a 30-minute practical session in a central location, as part of their judging criteria.
The awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner AgITO.
Judging continues throughout February, with the first regional winners announced in Hawkes Bay Wairarapa on February 28.
Further information on the awards can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.
North Canterbury pig farmer Steve Sterne has been honoured with NZ Pork's Outstanding Contribution Award, recognising his 27 years of dedication to excellence in the sector.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.
The profitability of dairy farmers is likely to increase in the coming year, accordign to the latest report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the outlook for the primary sector.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
OPINION: Microplastics are turning up just about everywhere in the global food supply, including in fish, cups of tea, and…
OPINION: At a time when dairy prices are at record highs, no one was expecting the world's second largest dairy…
