Otago dairy workers are being encouraged to put their names forward for the province's top industry awards to be handed out in Balclutha next year.
Entries have opened for the 2009 Otago region dairy industry awards, and award conveners and 2007 winners Kylie and Mark Watt say taking part can bring significant rewards and change.
"The night we won the 2007 Otago sharemilker of the year title, Mark proposed. Now we are married, convening the regional awards and expecting our first child. Life moves fast in the dairy industry," Mrs Watt said.
The Inch Clutha couple have taken charge of the 2009 awards and hope many in the industry will participate.
Mrs Watt said Otago dairy farmers could be shy about entering competitions.
"Mark thought the same thing before I gave him a little push of confidence, as sometimes you just have to give something a go to know whether it really is your cup of tea."
The awards recognise the province's top sharemilker, farm manager and dairy trainee of the year.
Mr Watt said the three competitions were aimed at helping people progress through the industry. For instance, he said, to enter the dairy trainee competition, an entrant must have or be working towards a national certificate in agriculture level 4.
Mrs Watt said farm managers and sharemilkers were judged "on farm", giving them the opportunity to present to the judges what works well on their particular farm.
"I challenge the farm owners reading this to encourage and back their farm managers and sharemilkers to enter. It doesn't take these people off the farm, rather it makes them strive to do the best they can for your farm."
The winners will be announced at an awards dinner in Balclutha on March 27.
Further details are available by contacting Mr and Mrs Watt on (03) 418-3367 or visiting www.dairyindustryawards.co.nzEntries close on January 9.
• West Otago dairy farmer Luke McCraw will be one of four young New Zealand farmers attending next year's Royal Hobart Show, in Tasmania, Australia, from October 21 to 24.
Mr McCraw was one of three winners of the Royal Agricultural Society Junior Judging Competitions in the beef, sheep and dairy sections and will join the 2008 NZ Young Rural Achiever, Outram farmer Geoffrey Wilson, in Hobart.
All competitions were held at the recent Royal New Zealand Show in Christchurch.
John Burrows (sheep) and Nicky Smith (beef), both from North Canterbury, will also attend.