Dairy award finalists ‘excellent’
The finalists have been found in the 2015 Waikato Dairy Industry Awards – four of them from Cambridge – with the winners set to be announced at a dinner in Hamilton on March 6.
Awards regional manager Michelle McPherson said it had been an exciting time when judges visited the farms of the entrants in the Waikato Sharemilker/ Equity Farmer of the Year and Waikato Farm Manager of the Year competitions, both of which had Cambridge entries.
‘‘We’ve had some excellent feedback about this year’s group of entrants and so we are confident that the finalists – and ultimately our winners – will represent the region strongly,’’ McPherson said.
Judges spent two hours on the sharemilker/equity farmer and farm manager entrants’ farms, and a new team of judges will revisit to undertake the finals judging, she said.
‘‘The judges take a strong interest in how the entrants are farming the properties to maximise the resources available, and in a way that also helps them to meet their next farming, personal or business goal,’’ she said.
The dairy trainee judging is a little different, as the trainees all come together to participate in a practical skills test and take part in an individual interview.
The Waikato region received 50 entries in total, including 10 competing in the Waikato Sharemilker/ Equity Farmer of the Year, 12 entered in the Waikato Farm Manager of the Year and 28 entered in the Waikato Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions.