Entry for the 2016 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards closes on November 30 and previous regional winners Donald and Kirsten Watson are encouraging farmers to get involved.
“One of the biggest things we got out of entering the awards was a feeling or sense of belonging to the Central Plateau region,” says Kirsten, who with Donald, is regional manager for the awards.
Kirsten and Donald Watson say there are many benefits from entering the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. The couple won the 2014 Central Plateau Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year title in their second time entering and just fifth season in the industry. Entries are now being accepted in the 2016 awards programme, including the Share Farmer of the Year (formerly Sharemilker), Dairy Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions. All entries are being received online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz and close on November 30. The Watsons are managing the 2016 competition for the Central Plateau region and say they were new to dairy farming and new to the region when they first entered the awards. “So we knew no one, but now we know heaps of people, have a wide network and don’t ever feel uncomfortable when we turn up to any regional event as we always know someone.” The couple are both qualified veterinarians and worked as such in New Zealand and overseas before returning and deciding to go farming. “Dairy farming gave us the opportunity to run our own business together and to grow our business skills at the same time.” Now aged 40 and 39 and with three young boys, the couple say their focus is on equity growth and building livestock numbers as they plan to purchase a 300 cow to 400 cow farm. “We’re passionate about cows and grass management and we also love raising our kids on the farm and teaching them life skills. Our ultimate goal is to have three farms in the future.” They are currently 50% sharemilking 1050 crossbred cows for Glen and Karen Speed on Monowai Station, east of Taupo. Kirsten hopes others see the benefits that can be gained and enter the 2016 awards. The region currently has 12 entered in the dairy trainee competition, five entered in the dairy manager contest and six share farmer competition entries. “It’d be great if we could double or triple those numbers.” The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra Farm Source, Honda Motorcycles, LIC, Meridian Energy, and Ravensdown, along with industry partner Primary ITO.
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