Time Running Out For Sharemilker Hopefuls

Sharemilkers have only until January 15 to put themselves in line to become 2002 New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year.

That’s the day entries close in what has become one of New Zealand most prestigious agricultural challenges.

The event’s National Convenor, Chris Keeping, says organisers and sponsors have been delighted by the level of interest in this year’s competition. “New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year is one of the most positive and exciting events on the agricultural calendar. It is the 14th year the national competition has been held. It has grown enormously both in stature and professionalism since it first began in 1989,” Ms Keeping says.

This year, judging will take place in 11 regional competitions in early February. Winners from each of those regions will go forward to a national final to be held in Hamilton on May 11.

Ms Keeping says this year’s entrants will compete for some very substantial prizes both at a regional and national level, with a national prize pool of more than $60,000 as well as the kudos which comes with winning one of the dairy industry’s top honours.

“They’ll also be mixing and learning from a wide variety of people involved in the dairy industry and making contacts who could be very useful to them in the future,” she says.

National sponsors for the 2002 New Zealand Sharemilker of the year are: Federated Farmers (which also owns the event), ACC, AnchorMart, Bank of New Zealand, Dexcel, Ecolab, Honda, Gallagher Group, Livestock Improvement Corporation and Ravensdown Fertiliser.

Sharemilkers who would like to enter can obtain an entry form from Federated Farmers offices, or by calling 0800 Farming (0800 327-646).

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