Trainee numbers were now evenly divided between the dairy industry and sheep and cattle industry, she said.
"A couple of years ago, I only had two dairy trainees on the books but now, out of 160 trainees, there's a 50:50 split between dairy trainees and sheep and cattle trainees. Those figures have been boosted by the dairy trainee numbers in West Otago and the Maniototo."
Agriculture ITO's annual Central and West Otago Agriawards were held recently in Alexandra, marking the qualifications gained by more than 60 trainees.
Logan Young, of Tapanui, took top honours, winning the Central and West Otago trainee of the year award.
He also received the prize for top dairy trainee.
He was nominated by his employers, Tony and Tracey Fitzgerald, for his "enthusiasm, commitment to the job and willingness to share his knowledge with other staff on the farm".
Paul Chambers, of Lone Star Farms' "The Wandle", at Middlemarch, was the top sheep and cattle trainee.
Ms Barr said his tutor and employer acknowledged the growth in his skill and understanding over the year and the benefits his training had brought to the business.
Bevan Arthur, of Poolburn, was the only diploma graduate this year.
He received a national diploma in agribusiness management.
Five people were completing modern apprenticeships: Jason Sutherland, Chloe Goble, Bern Lucas, Logan Young and Lawrence Jackson.
Ms Barr was delighted with their achievement and said some had attained "outstanding results" due to goal-setting carried out as part of the programme.
For example, Jason Sutherland, of Alexandra, now leased land and had bought stock.
He paid tribute to the part played by his employer, Gerard Flannery, of Poolburn, and nominated Mr Flannery for the farmer trainer of the year award.
Mr Flannery, who won the award, said the modern apprenticeship programme was vital for keeping young trainees focused and on task.
The guest speaker at the awards was 1974 Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold medallist Dick Tayler, who provided "entertainment and inspiration", Ms Barr said.
Award recipients-
National certificate in agriculture level 2: Jerome Montes, Lisa Kennedy.
National certificate in agriculture level 2 dairy farming: Lynette Lanini.
National certificate in agriculture level 3 dairy farming: Logan Young, Justin Pauley.
National certificate in agriculture level 3 sheep farming: Bern Lucas, Lawrence Jackson, Todd Rowland.
National certificate in agriculture level 3 animal feeding and pastures: Gerardo Espiritu, Marvinlee Eloria, Lisa Kennedy, Maxwell Mathabiswana, Lynette Lanini, Carolyn Robertson, Vincent Trabasas.
National certificate in agriculture level 3 cattle breeding - dairy cattle farming: Jerome Montes, Nicola MacGillivray, Mark MacGillivray, Chloe Goble.
National certificate in agriculture level 3 stockperson, cattle and sheep: Carolyn Robertson, Angus Barr, Jason Sutherland.
National certificate in agriculture level 3 animal health and husbandry: Lynette Lanini, Melissa Foley, Marvin Manibog, WollyJohn Dumapis, Marvinlee Eloria, Andrew Workman, Nicola MacGillivray, Mark MacGillivray, Chloe Goble.
National certificate in dairy farming level 3 milking: Chloe Goble.
National certificate in agriculture level 4 cattle farming: Holly Young, Quinten Tisdall.
National certificate in agriculture level 4 dairy farming: Logan Young, Colin Tunnah, Coral Williams, Justin Pauley, Jowell Cabrera, Thomas Jaeger, Kylie Dorr, Dewald du Plessis.
National certificate in agriculture level 4 sheep farming: Holly Young, Robert Greer, Bern Lucas, Quinten Tisdall, Lawrence Jackson.
National certificate in agriculture level 4 (production management) dairy farming: Coral Williams.
National certificate in agriculture level 4 (production management) sheep farming: Tim Lambeth, Paul Smith, Tony Kitto, Paul Chambers.
National certificate in agriculture level 3 sheep breeding: Angus Barr, Jason Sutherland, Matthew Scott.
National certificate in agriculture level 3 animal health and husbandry sheep and cattle farming: Angus Barr, Jason Sutherland, Matthew Scott.
National certificate in agribusiness management - agribusiness resource management: Bevan Arthur.
National certificate in agribusiness management - business planning and financial management: Bevan Arthur, Scott Levings, James Longley, Logan Rowland.
LCP - national diploma in agribusiness management property report: Bevan Arthur.
National diploma in agribusiness management: Bevan Arthur.
Modern apprentice: Jason Sutherland, Chloe Goble, Bern Lucas, Logan Young and Lawrence Jackson.
