Friday, March 29, 2024

Awards season frenzy

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The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) has been swamped with entries for this year’s competition, with 366 entries received across the three award categories.
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NZDIA general manager Robin Congdon says the entry numbers were more than last year and there were notably more share farmer entry numbers, which are traditionally harder to come by.

“Waikato came out on top with 66 entries across all three categories, then Canterbury/North Otago with 54 entries, followed by Southland/Otago achieving 39 entries,” Congdon says.

Awards spokesperson Anne-Marie Case-Miller says there was no single reason why entry levels had jumped this year.

Numbers tended to vary from year-to-year, with factors such as payout, weather and farm conditions playing a part.

“I do know that farmers recognise the integrity of the awards and we have got some fantastic people on the ground,” Case-Miller says. 

“Our volunteers are all former entrants and winners and they’re able to say to entrants, ‘this is what entering the awards has done for us’.”

Nominations are also open for the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award, recognising dairy farmers who demonstrate innovation and passion in their approach to sustainable dairying.

Congdon says it is important to showcase the good work farmers are doing within the industry as it does not always get the exposure it deserves.

“We have excellent, experienced dairy farmers creating and working on wonderful projects that have a positive effect on the environment,” she says.

“We want to hear about the people who are farming responsibly, both environmentally and socially, and showcasing excellence on a daily basis. 

“This is a chance for people to nominate their neighbour, their employer or someone in their community.

“This award gives us the opportunity to recognise farmers that have progressed to ownership, demonstrate leadership in their farming practices and are a role model for our younger farmers coming through.” Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa farmers Nick and Nicky Dawson won the 2020 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award and received the John Wilson Memorial Trophy. 

The Dawsons impressed the panel of judges with their genuine commitment and passion. 

“We hear about succession being about family, however Nick and Nicky spoke about succession for the whole industry and dairy farming in NZ,” she said.

Nomination forms are available at dairyindustryawards.co.nz, with entries closing on March 20.

From those nominations, three finalists will be selected and interviewed by a panel of judges at the national final to be held in Hamilton next year with the winner announced at the Awards dinner on May 15.

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