Bay farmers Russell and Nadine Meade won the 2013 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year title at the awards dinner in the Awakeri Events Centre last night.

The win was a natural progression for the Whakatane couple who in 2010 won the Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year title and have gone on to develop innovative and flexible investment opportunities to achieve farm business ownership.

2013 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year Russell and Nadine Meade.

Chris Mexted - 2013 Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year.

2013 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year, Thomas Chatfield.

Now 50 per cent sharemilking 220 cows for Barbara Sullivan at Whakatane, the couple took home $16,000 in cash and prizes.

The other big winners in the 2013 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards were Chris Mexted, winner of the Farm Manager of the Year title, and Thomas Chatfield, the Dairy Trainee of the Year both of Whakatane.

The Meades say participating in the dairy awards offers considerable benefits.

'One of the many benefits we perceive this competition offers us is in motivating us to constantly examine our business to ensure that it is a sustainable, productive and competitive operation.

'It also gives us recognition within our region and helps improve and publicise our dairy farming reputation.”

While Russell Meade has been in the industry most of his life, having grown up on a dairy farm, Nadine Meade has embraced the industry since the couple met in 2006. While she still works off-farm, for Carter Holt Harvey, her management skills are pivotal to the farm's operation.

'We believe the greatest strength that our business has is our complementary skill set. This makes it easy to align responsibilities and ensures that all aspects of our business are attended to and are managed by the best person for the job.”

The couple plan to continue to increase their business equity growth and to reach their goal of farm ownership.

The 2013 Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year Chris Mexted is keen to experiment, innovate and make changes to lift farm business performance.

The 23-year-old, who is an avid user of rural professionals and advisers to help achieve his goals, won $10,700 in prizes, and is managing a 435 cow Whakatane farm for Bruce and Judy Woods.

In his first full season in the industry, he entered the awards to make progress, network, build his reputation, and have some fun.

Changing career has proved successful for 2013 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year, Thomas Chatfield, a former physiotherapist.

The 27-year-old and in his first season in the industry, won the title and $4500 in prizes. He is working for Rhys Watkins on his parent's 500 cow Whakatane farm and entered to benchmark himself against others in the industry.

'Being new to dairying I wanted to check that I was performing as well as I felt like I was.”

The Meades will host a fieldday on March 27, while Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year, Chris Mexted, will host a field day on the Whakatane farm he manages on April 3. Further details on the winners and field days can be found on www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

Sharemilker/Equity Farmer Merit Awards:

• Blackman Spargo Legal Audit Award – Jeff & Ryn Going
• DairyNZ Human Resources Award – Brett & Natasha Grindrod
• Ecolab Farm Dairy Hygiene Award – Brett & Natasha Grindrod
• Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award – Brett & Natasha Grindrod
• Honda Farm Safety and Health Award – Russell & Nadine Meade
• LIC Recording and Productivity Award – Jamie & Angela Lanauze
• Meridian Energy Farm Environment Award – Russell & Nadine Meade
• Ravensdown Pasture Performance Award – Russell & Nadine Meade
• Westpac Business Performance Award – Russell & Nadine Meade

Farm Manager Merit Awards:

• Business Results Group Most Promising First Time Entrant Award – Andrew & Sarah White
• Dairy Production Systems Livestock Management Award – Silke Hackbarth
• AgITO Human Resource Management Award – Chris Mexted
• Fonterra Best Practice Award – Chris Mexted
• RD1 Farm Management Award – Glen Penny
• Westpac Financial Planning and Management Award – Chris Mexted

Dairy Trainee Merit Awards:

• DairyNZ Practical Skills Award – Aran Sealey
• Planwise Farming Knowledge Award – Josh Cozens
• Second place in the Bay of Plenty sharemilker/equity farmer contest went to Whakatane 21 per cent sharemilkers Brett and Natasha Grindrod, who won $7600, and Te Puke 22 per cent sharemilkers Jeff and Ryn Going were placed third, winning $3000.