The Dairy Trainee category has received a whopping 60 per cent increase in the number of entries for the 2022 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.

The category has been refreshed for the 2022 contest resulting in 170 entries being received - 27 in Canterbury, 22 in Waikato and 21 in Southland/Otago.

Nationally, 112 entries were received in the Dairy Manager category and 82 entered Share Farmer of the Year.

A total of 364 entries were received for all the awards’ categories.

NZDIA General Manager Robin Congdon says it’s a great result considering the impact Covid lockdown had on entry events.

“Refreshing the Dairy Trainee and Dairy Manager entry criteria and judging process was definitely the right move as we have seen an increase overall in entry numbers, with entrants excited about the changes.

He says the Dairy Manager category has also exceeded recent year’s entry numbers.

“The numbers ensure strong categories will run in each of our 11 regions and that is great for the entrants and the programme.”

The Waikato region received the highest amount of entries with 60 in total, Canterbury has 51 entries while Central Plateau, Southland/Otago, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu received 38, 37, 36 and 30 entries respectively.

“Previous Dairy Industry Award winners continue to make an impact within the dairy industry and many are today’s leaders,” says Robin.

“All entrants can give themselves a huge pat on the back as they’ve taken an important step in enhancing their career and farm business just by entering the awards.”

Judging will begin in the new year for the 11 regional categories, with winners announced at dinners throughout the country in March next year.

The 33 winners of those categories will then progress through to the national finals in Christchurch in May next year.

Visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz for more information and to view an events calendar of the Regional Awards