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• Published date: 28 September 2022
• Publication title: Central Rural Life

Entries for the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards open on Saturday

General manager Robin Congdon said organisers of the regional programmes gathered in Rotorua for the annual conference, to learn how to deliver more than 48 events and numerous judging days.

The conference was an opportunity for the volunteers from across New Zealand to come together after a busy winter season, learn what was required to deliver the programme and bring them up to speed on this year’s changes made to the share farmer category judging process.

‘‘The exec have reviewed extensive feedback on last year’s changes to the dairy manager and dairy trainee categories, which was overwhelmingly positive.’’

Changes were being made to streamline the judging process and to align the share farmer category into the same format for this season, which would make the process less daunting and time-consuming for share farmer entrants to prepare for, Mr Congdon said.

‘‘The conference is also a chance for personal development and for committee members to meet other regional committee members and share ideas and information — and to finalise their regional launch events, which provide an opportunity for prospective entrants to find out more information about the awards and which category people are eligible to enter.’’

The regional launch events were a lot of fun and provided an opportunity to meet other potential entrants, organisers and sponsors and to learn about the awards from past entrants, he said.

‘‘The functions are very social, with no charge, and are at a time that makes it easy for farmers to attend.’’

More information on regional committees and launch events is available at...