ENTRIES OPEN IN 2011 NZ DAIRY AWARDS

Entries are now being accepted in the 2011 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards – the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year.

National Convenor Chris Keeping says in a first for the awards, all entries will be completed online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

“We’ve already announced significant changes to some of our competitions this year to ensure they remain as fair and open to as many people as possible. The change to online entry reflects the need to keep up with technology and be savvier in the way we operate. Let’s face it; no one likes piles of paperwork these days!”

Mrs Keeping says online entry has been available for the past two years and the number of entrants entering online had increased markedly during that period – from about 20% to more than 60%.

“We were initially concerned some potential entrants may not be able to access the internet or be comfortable with completing their entry online, but our competition convenors, sponsors and organisers are all unanimous that online entry offers huge benefits.

“Everyone will go out of the way to ensure people who want to enter the awards will be able to do so, online. We have made it as easy as possible.”

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

Mrs Keeping says entrants first enter one of 12 regional competitions being held around the country. The three winners from each of those regional competitions will then progress to the national final, which will be held in Queenstown in May next year.

More than 500 people entered the awards in 2010. More information on the awards can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.