Hot off the Press - NZ Dairy Awards Trust Media Release 'Awards Assist in Volatile Economic Climate'

AWARDS ASSIST IN VOLATILE ECONOMIC CLIMATE

Participants in the 2009 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards will gain expert advice on how to position their farm business to better meet the challenges posed by the global economic crisis.

Northland Convenors Brian and Paulette Johns say entries are now being accepted in the awards, incorporating the Sharemilker of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year.

“It’s pretty well known that people who enter the awards gain so much from the process of entering – from the people they meet, feedback they receive and prizes they gain,” Mr Johns says.

“Our judges are probably one of our greatest assets, as they provide timely and informative feedback and advice to all entrants that help them make improvements to their businesses.

“This sort of expert advice is invaluable and at a time like this – with the dairy payout dropping and international market volatility – it can be priceless.”

Mr Johns says the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards aim to encourage best practice, the sharing of excellence and also identify and promote the dairy industry’s future leaders.

The awards are run in 12 regions, with each of the three regional winners all progressing to a national final and the opportunity to win the national title and more than $100,000 in cash and prizes.

The Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, Blue Wing Honda, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner Agriculture ITO.

Entries close in early January, with entry forms available from Mr Johns, sponsors or downloaded from the awards website, www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.