Sharemilker Event Opportunity For Growth

23 November 2004

Sharemilker Event Opportunity For Growth

Winning big prizes, gaining kudos and recognition, and the opportunity to meet and mix with some of the most influential people in the dairy industry are all benefits for participants in the New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year.

But competition Chairman Damian Roper says from where he sits, the greatest reward each and every entrant takes away from the experience is what they learn.

A former entrant, Mr Roper says it is impossible to quantify the personal growth he has seen in so many sharemilkers who have taken part in Sharemilker of the Year since he has been involved.

“You just have to look at the number of entrants who take part in their regional competitions for several years before eventually building up enough skills to win their local competition and go through to the national final,” Mr Roper says.

The 2004 New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year title went to Hugh Candy and Kerry Lucas-Candy, who entered the competition five times before winning the Waikato regional event. “The competition was good in confirming the areas we were good at and also identifying weaknesses in our business,” the Candys say.

Damian Roper says: “We know it can be daunting for first time entrants who might think they don’t have a chance against more experienced sharemilkers. But everyone has to start somewhere so we suggest they start off by maybe targeting one of the merit awards.

“We’ve also made it easier for entrants this year by greatly simplifying the entry process. We certainly don’t expect – or want – them to prepare huge fancy documents. The judges aren’t looking for ‘takeaway’ information; they will be leaving the farm with exactly what they arrived with. The entrants simply ‘show it like it is’.”

The 2005 New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year Competition is run in association with Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) and is sponsored by Dairy InSight, ACC, Bank of New Zealand, Blue Wing Honda, Dexcel, Ecolab, Fonterra, Livestock Improvement and Ravensdown.

Sharemilkers first enter one of 11 regional competitions throughout the country. The regional winners then progress to the national final held in Hamilton on May 7, 2005 where they compete for the national title of New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year.

Competition entries close on December 20, 2004. This is earlier than usual, says Mr Roper. “The change was made to tighten up the entry process. The longer papers lie around the more likely they are to be forgotten. With the simpler entry form and the shorter ‘entries open’ period, sharemilkers can sort out their entry and not have to worry about it over the Christmas break.”

Entry forms are available from Federated Farmers PH 0800 327 646, by contacting the regional convenors and sponsor representatives or can be downloaded from www.fedfarm.org.nz/smoty

ENDS

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