increase font size
ENTRIES IN THE 2014 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are running neck-and-neck with last year.
National convenor Chris Keeping says 251 entries have been received in the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions compared with 248 entries at the same time last year.
"We're about three weeks in and it is amazing how close the numbers are – it definitely indicates we are on target to reach or even better last year's record 566 entry numbers."
Keeping says people have about one week left to enter and be eligible for the Early Bird Entry Prize Draw of three Honda XR125 Duster farm bikes, each valued at $4000. One bike will be drawn from those that enter early (before December 1) in each competition.
All entries are being accepted online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz and close on December 20.
The Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, RD1, Triplejump, along with industry partner Primary ITO (formerly AgITO).
Of the entries received to date, the dairy trainee contest is proving the most popular with 132 entries received. The farm manager contest has received 78 entries and the sharemilker/equity farmer contest has 41 entries.
"Obviously we'd like to see some more entries in the prestigious sharemilker/equity farmer contest which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2014. We recognise there is much more work to do to enter the sharemilker contest than the trainee contest, but know the benefits to all who enter make it worth the while."
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.
