Dairy Awards Winner Says ‘Go for It’

Dairy Awards Winner Says ‘Go for It’

One of the 2010 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards winners says entering the awards is a good experience personally and helps with career prospects.

The 2010 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year, Blake Korteweg, says the awards boosted his confidence, introduced him to industry experts, new experiences and new friends, and helped his bank balance.

The 2011 awards programme will be launched in Hamilton on October 4 with some major changes to the awards’ three competitions – the Sharemilker of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year – being announced.

Entries in the 12 regional competitions open on November 1, with all regional winners progressing to the national finals. In 2011 the national awards dinner will be held in Queenstown.

The 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.

Mr Korteweg says winning the national title was an obvious highlight of his participation in the awards.

“Being in the finals was great and going on tour with the other trainee finalists was one of the best parts of the experience.”

Mr Korteweg, who is managing a family property near Balclutha and preparing to go 20% sharemilking in January, says on the tour he talked with a number of high profile farmers and business people, gaining many ideas.

He has also shared ideas with the other trainee finalists, many in similar positions to him.

“The biggest thing the awards did is boost my confidence. I feel now that I know what I am doing to make decisions.”

Mr Korteweg encourages people to “go for it” and enter the awards.

“Even if you don’t make the finals, it is a good experience to benchmark yourself against other people. Usually you know a few of the other entrants so it’s a good way to learn a bit about yourself.

“It also helps down the track if you do well or are seen to do well,” he says.

Visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz for more information.

ENDS