Entries for dairy awards encouraged

As the new-look 2014 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Otago/Southland regional event get under way, organising committee chairwoman Helen Hartshorne, of Tapanui, is keen to see lots of entries from sharemilkers, equity farmers, dairy trainees and farm managers.

The two regions were merged earlier this year in response to declining entry numbers from Otago.

Mrs Hartshorne and husband James, who is also on the committee, were 2012 Otago Sharemilker and Equity Farmer winners for Otago.

The Hartshornes oversee the Otago section of the competition, while the 2012 Southland winners Billy and Sharn Roskam, of Winton, oversee the Southland part of the contest.

''Although the entries to the competition close on December 20, if people enter before December 1 they go into a draw to win a Honda HR125 Duster farm bike, one for each competition nationwide,'' Mr Hartshorne said.

The committee held two information evenings in Balclutha and Winton earlier this month, with a good response to both.

''Once people enter online they get access to judging criteria and more detailed information [about the competitions,'' Mrs Hartshorne said. Mr Hartshorne urged people to enter.

''There is no 'right time' to enter, they just need to do it,'' he said.

''Many people don't enter to win but rather use it as a tool to further themselves and their business.''

He said many people felt they had just moved on to the farm, or it looked untidy, or they needed another year under the belt, or they only had a small herd to postpone entering, but the judges were only concerned with the business, what the entrants' goals were and how they intended to make best use of resources available to achieve those goals.

He said the feedback from the judges often helped the business, while the opportunities to network and make friends, both locally and at the national awards, were invaluable.

''It also gives entrants exposure to media, bank and professionals like accountants,'' he said.

Mrs Hartshorne said the judge's constructive feedback was ''like a free audit of the business.''

''We entered it three times and we are glad we did it three times, as more people looked at our business.

''Our financials were really weak but the people we met really helped us for the weak parts of the business.''

''It is a learning experience each time we entered and helped us grow the business and grow the farm and be stronger.''

The committee will hold an information day for entrants on January 13 while preliminary judging takes place on January 27 to 29.

The regional awards will be held in Gore on March 1.

Entries are now being accepted online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz

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