Tapanui dairy farmers Tim and Lorraine Johnson were last night named the 2011 Otago sharemilker-equity farmers of the year at a function in Balclutha.
The Johnsons, who are 50% sharemilkers in a 352-cow herd for Dairy Holdings, at Tapanui, said they were late starters to the industry but came with a strong business background and some urgency about where they were heading.
They plan to move to a larger 50% sharemilking position or take on a lower order sharemilking position with a 20% to 30% equity share.
The Otago farm manager of the year was Scott Levings, of Roxburgh, and the Otago dairy trainee of the year was Brendan Morrison, a fifth generation farmer on his family's farm at Inch Clutha.
Runners-up in sharemilker-equity farmer of the year were 50% sharemilkers Cameron and Anna Edgecombe, of the Taieri.
Clinton farm managers Gareth and Angela Dawson were runners-up in the farm manager contest.
Balclutha farm assistant Brooke Miller came second in the trainee contest and Gore-based first-year farm assistant Luke Kane was third.
All three winners will compete for the respective New Zealand titles and a prize pool of more than $130,000 in Queenstown on May 14.
The Johnsons will host a field day on April 11 and Mr Levings will host a field day on the Roxburgh farm he manages on April 18.