Farming awards launched in good old Gordonton
Woodlands Rd, Gordonton, was the launching place of the 2012 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards yesterday, held on the farm run by Jason and Lisa Suisted.
The pair were the 2011 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year and said they initially entered the awards to ‘stand out from the pack’ when applying for sharemilking positions.
“What we did not know at the time was how much we were going to learn both about ourselves and our business. We’ve been able to fine tune some of our farm systems and the awards had also allowed us to work side by side, highlighting the strengths we both bring to the business.”
The 2012 awards aim to change urban perceptions of the country’s dairy farmers and the industry itself.
The awards will culminate with a series of activities in Auckland, with a formal dinner where the winners of the various categories will be announced.
“We want Auckland and the rest of the country to witness the bright, talented and well presented individuals that are working hard on this country’s dairy farms to drive the dairy industry forward as the global leader that it is,” he said in a press release.
Jason Suisted says the awards challenged them and forced them to take a brutal and critical look at their business.
“The benefits from this have paid off immensely.”
The national final will be held in Auckland on May 12 next year.
Entries in the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer, Farm Manager and Dairy Trainee competitions will be accepted online from November 1.
