Planning Underway for 2009 Dairy Industry Awards

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are stepping up preparations for the 2009 competition, with organisers, sponsors and regional competition convenors meeting to finalise arrangements in Rotorua early next month.

National Convenor Chris Keeping says the success of this year’s awards, combined with the buoyancy being experienced in the dairy industry, does mean that all those involved are upbeat and anticipate the 2009 awards could be record breaking.

“This year we broke the record for the number of people attending the national awards dinner – with more than 700 people attending to recognise and celebrate our winners.

“With a record dairy payout forecast, a good medium term outlook and generally favourable climatic conditions, the scene is set for the 2009 awards to be the best yet.”

Ms Keeping says the theme for the conference from October 8-10 is ‘Toward the Future’, and seeks to build on the success of having combined the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions together within the awards.

“What we have created by combining the three awards is the opportunity for the awards to recognise success and best practice at every stage in a dairying career – from dairy trainee, to farm management to sharemilking.

“Dairy farmers often use success in the awards to assist in the progression of their career, be it to farm management, herd ownership or ultimately farm ownership.”

She says the 2008 awards was the first time all three competitions had been held under the awards umbrella. The awards are run in 12 regional competitions, with the three winners from each region progressing to the national final.

Ms Keeping says the Rotorua meeting will finalise awards details and arm sponsors, convenors and organisers with the tools and information they need to run the awards in their region or nationally.

“For the first time we’ve developed a promotional DVD that regional convenors and sponsors will be able to use to assist in the promotion of the awards to entrants and others that may be interested in getting involved.”

The Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, Blue Wing Honda, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner Agriculture ITO.

Entries open on 1 November. Further information on the awards can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.