No dairy awards - no Bull

Former All Black prop Bull Allen is set to host an award ceremony in Balclutha next year - but the event may not occur because of a lack of interest.

The Otago Dairy Awards are scheduled for February.

However, they are in jeopardy, meaning there could be no Otago representation at the 2010 National Dairy Awards.

Registrations for the Otago event close next Thursday.

To date, 10 entries have been received but a minimum of 30 are needed for the categories of dairy farm trainee, farm manager and sharemilker if the contest is to proceed.

Awards conveners Kylie and Mark Watt, of Balclutha, are disappointed by the lack of interest.

The Watts, who are previous winners, are encouraging dairy industry members to participate.

Prizes worth $40,000 were on offer, but Mrs Watt said one of the main advantages for competitors was receiving free advice on how to improve their business.

"People in Otago are lucky enough to have three of the most respected judges in the Otago region come and judge them.

"With the judges coming to the farm, [farmers] have the opportunity to get good feedback about what they are doing, and how they would like to improve."

For the sharemilkers and farm managers who moved to different farms, the competition was a chance to network with people in the industry.

People had been recommended for positions by the judges they had met through the competition.

"We have our first social night before the winners are announced, so everyone is on the same level," she said.

"[Contestants get to meet] people in the same area as them, and the judges get to meet everyone."

Mrs Watt said she would be sad to see the award lost for Otago, but farmers were not entering because they felt they did not have time, and did not want to bring attention to themselves.

"You can't say you haven't got time to look at your business, when that's really all it is," she said.

"[Dairy farmers] are good at their jobs, but they don't like putting their hands up. My husband Mark was like that. He thought, `Oh, I can't say that I'm good at this', but it's all learning, [and it builds] confidence.

"It is scary to put yourself in that position, but you get a lot out of it.

"I'd like to see the New Zealand sharemilker or farm manager of the year come from Otago."

- Rachel Taylor