The Central Plateau regional competition of the Dairy Industry Awards has received the second-highest amount of entries of 11 regions, behind only Canterbury-North Otago, with 47 in total.

New Zealand DIA general manager Chris Keeping says a total of 393 entries overall were received for the awards’ 11 regions – which is an increase of 29 from last year.

“It’s a great result and we are really thrilled with the response,” says Chris.

The Canterbury-North Otago region received the highest number of entries – at 59 – for 2019.

The number is split into 17 in the Share Farmer of the Year, 30 in the Dairy Manager of the Year and 12 in the Dairy Trainee of the Year competition for the ergion.

Chris says changing the visa entry criteria has also seen an increase overall in entry numbers in the Dairy Manager and Dairy Trainee categories.

“The numbers ensure strong categories will run in each of our 11 regions and that is great for the entrants, for the categories and for us as organisers of the awards.”

Nationally, 106 entries were received in the Share Farmer category, 166 entered the Dairy Manager category and 121 entered Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Chris says the regions had worked hard to attract entries and he’s rapt that all three categories would be run in all 11 regions.

“Previous DIA winners continue to make an impact within the dairy industry and many are clear leaders,” says Chris.

“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.”

The NZDIA is supported by national sponsors Westpac, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian Energy, and Ravensdown, along with industry partners Dairy NZ and Primary ITO.

Judging has begun for some the 11 regional categories, which will wrap up this month, with winners announced at dinners throughout the country in March.

The 33 winners of those categories will then progress through to the national finals in Wellington in May. For more information and to view an events calendar of the Regional Awards, see: www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz