Finalists emerge in Dairy Awards

 National convenor Chris Keeping says the regional competitions have again surprised with the group of finalists that have emerged.

"We've had some amazing and entertaining regional awards dinners across the country, capped off with more than 500 people attending the Southland/Otago regional final in Gore late last month," Keeping says.

"More importantly our teams of voluntary judges have picked some fantastic winners that are doing excellent work driving efficiency and environmental performance on farms all over New Zealand. Most are also active in their communities."

She says the 11 finalists contesting the sharemilker/equity farmer contest include seven traditional 50% sharemilkers, one lower order sharemilker and two in equity partnerships, both equity farm managing.

"It just goes to highlight the changing nature of positions available and types of farm structures being developed to enable people to invest in the industry and to grow equity."

Keeping says the farm manager finalists are extremely diverse and represent the range and type of people being attracted to the dairy industry. "We've got a 56-year-old who has been dairy farming for 32 years and in stark contrast to that we have a former professional rugby player just beginning his career in dairying. Both have entered the contest as they want to develop their skills and enhance their reputation."

She says the progress many of the farm manager finalists are making is evident by the fact that three have previously placed in a regional dairy trainee competition. "It's heartening to see we have two female finalists among the six farm managers and five contract milkers contesting the final."

There is a sole woman contesting the dairy trainee contest, up against 10 men and following history – as Ruth Hone became the first woman to claim the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year title in 2014.

The winners will be announced at a black tie event at Sky City in Auckland on May 2.

More information on all finalists and the awards can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

The Finalists

2015 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year finalists:
· Northland, Brad & Lesley Roberts 25% sharemilking 900 cows, Kamo
· Auckland/Hauraki, Evan & Jan Billington 50% sharemilking 680 cows, Ngatea
· Waikato Aaron, Price 50% sharemilking 250 cows, Morrinsville
· Bay of Plenty, Grant & Karley Thomson 50% sharemilking 420 cows, Opotiki
· Central Plateau, Johan & Theona Blom 50% sharemilking 270 cows, Ngakuru
· Manawatu, Richard Ash Equity sharemilking 1400 cows, Marton
· Taranaki, Rob & Mel Van den Brand 50% sharemilking 210 cows, Manaia
· Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa, Matt & Tracey Honeysett equity farm managing 1200 cows, Kahutara
· West Coast/Top of the South, Kelvin & Heather McKay equity farm managing 285 cows, Greymouth
· Canterbury/North Otago, Justin & Melissa Slattery 50% sharemilking 550 cows, Culverden
· Southland/Otago, Jono & Kelly Bavin 50% sharemilking 500 cows, Tussock Creek.

2015 New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year finalist:
· Northland, Karla Frost farm manager 250 cows, Dargaville
· Auckland/Hauraki, James Foote contract milking 425 cows, Miranda
· Waikato, Paul & Kate Manion contract milking 485 cows, Cambridge
· Bay of Plenty, Jodie Mexted farm manager 530 cows, Whakatane
· Central Plateau, Nathan & Elri Levin contract milking 650 cows, Tokoroa
· Manawatu, John Wyatt farm manager 460 cows, Kairanga
· Taranaki, Lance Chadwick farm manager 350 cows, Toko
· Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa, Rowan Gilvary farm manager 900 cows, Featherston
· West Coast/Top of the South, Thomas & Hannah Oats contract milking 350 cows, Reefton
· Canterbury/North Otago, Mark Cudmore farm manager 586 cows, Cheviot
· Southland/Otago, Nick Templer & Anieka Venekamp, contract milking 650 cows, Balfour.

2015 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year finalists:
· Northland, Mike Jensen 2IC 500 cows, Waipapa
· Auckland/Hauraki, Royce King 2IC 530 cows, Paeroa
· Waikato, Brett Steeghs farm assistant 420 cows, Horahora
· Bay of Plenty, Jeff White 2IC 620 cows, Pongakawa
· Central Plateau, Gerard van der Mark 2IC 900 cows, Mangakino
· Manawatu, Blake Moore 2IC 750 cows, Opiki
· Taranaki, Michael McCombs assistant manager, 220 cows, Patea
· Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa, Grace Stephenson 2IC 205 cows, Dannevirke
· West Coast/Top of the South, Danny Mitchell farm assistant, 400 cows, Koromiko
· Canterbury/North Otago, James Davidson farm assistant, 1400 cows, Darfield
· Southland/Otago, Jeremy Anderson 2IC 940 cows, Otautau.