A lack of interest from sharemilkers in the Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards may threaten the annual competition at a regional level.

There are only two entries so far for the Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year.

Sharemillker/Equity Farmer of the Year Scott and Charlotte Jones half wish they hadn't won the Bay of Plenty title as they were learning so much being part of the Dairy Industry Awards.

Convenor Steph Russell is concerned there is a risk the competition won't go ahead next year unless there are more entries.

'If we do not get sufficient support this year to run a full competition, there may not be one next year.

'So those who say ‘I'm too busy; I'll think about it next year' may like to think again.”

The reward for entering the competition goes beyond the cash and prizes waiting for the place-getters.

Awakeri sharemilkers Scott and Charlotte Jones won the Sharemillker/Equity Farmer of the Year at the 2011 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards.

Despite the $12,300 they won in cash and prizes, Charlotte says they didn't really want the title; as once you win, you can't re-enter.

'I probably shouldn't say this, but we didn't want to win, not because we're not competitive, but because we really enjoyed the process; it gave you a deadline to actually have your whole year analysed.

'It made you sit down and think ‘are these systems working and, if not, why aren't they?'”

Charlotte and Scott entered the competition three times before they won the Bay of Plenty title.

'The competition gives a good framework to assess the whole business,” says Charlotte – 'the big picture; are we meeting our goals, do we need to review them”.

'So if people think ‘I'm not going to win or I'm not good enough' – that's not why you enter.

'You're entering to learn.”

Charlotte says it is like building a business portfolio.

'Other industries have benchmarks that they have to prove they're maintaining.

'In farming, you can just go year by year and slip by. That's where the competition really hones in and makes sure you are developing – because you're reviewing all your processes.”

Charlotte says the process has also given them a network of people to support them in their farming goals.

'It's been absolutely vital for our business. We couldn't have grown to where we are or gone forward without having entered.”

Farmers have until December 20 to register for the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions.

For more information or to enter, contact Bay of Plenty regional convenors Steph and Jonny Russell, phone (07) 333 9006 or 0275 478 374 or visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz