Te Puke may be a prime horticultural region but it's also strong in dairying, which can be seen from seven farm manager entrants in the 2014 Bay of Plenty Dairy Awards coming from the district.

Richard and Amy Fowler are convening the awards for the first time, after winning Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year title in 2012.

Two of the six dairy trainee finalists and one of the sharemilker/equity farmer finalists are also from Te Puke. Fellow entrants in the three award categories are from Whakatane, Tauranga, Opotiki, Murupara and Waimana.

Judging in all sections of the awards was completed by the end of February and winners of the 2014 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year and Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions will be announced at the region's awards dinner at the Awakeri Events Centre on March 19.

Bay of Plenty's regional convenors Richard and Amy Fowler say the awards continue to attract the most talented and ambitious farmers, who are keen to have their skills and abilities recognised as well as progress in the dairy industry.

The entrants will be competing for cash and prizes worth $50,100 and the honour of winning the regional title.

'As past regional winners, we are extremely aware of the opportunities that will be presented to the winners. Attending the national final was a highlight, with meeting and getting to know all of the other regional winners. There are some great people involved and we all look forward to meeting up when we get the chance.”

The Fowlers are pleased with the level of interest in this year's awards, which has attracted 45 entrants from the region. There are six competing for the Bay of Plenty sharemilker/equity farmer title, nine vying for the farm manager title and 30 contesting the dairy trainee award.

'The level of interest in the dairy trainee contest is just awesome and bodes well for the future of the awards in the region, as those trainees progress in the dairy industry to managing and then sharemilking.”

The awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, RD1 and Triplejump, along with industry partner Primary ITO (formerly AgITO).

Richard and Amy are convening the awards for the first time after winning the region's Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year title in 2012.

'We've just had a wonderful association with the awards. Convening is a new challenge and we've enjoyed the opportunity to develop relationships with industry professionals and sponsors associated with the awards. Working with our team of volunteers on the committee to create a great experience for the entrants has also been great. We're certainly looking forward to the awards night.”

They say those considering entering the awards should come along to the regional awards dinner and gain an insight into the awards experience first-hand.

Tickets to the Bay of Plenty regional awards dinner cost $65 and can be purchased by contacting Charlotte Jones on 027 663 1590.

This year's finalists in the Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year awards are:

Jeff and Ryn Going, who milk 344 cows on a 115ha farm owned by John and Linda Folwer of Te Puke, are aiming for a production of 115,000 kg/ms this season.

Brett and Natasha Grindrod, who milk 440 cows on 140ha owned by Barry and Yvonne Richardson of Whakatane, are aiming for 165,000 kg/ms.


Sefton and Katherine Hemmingway, farming 229 cows on 82ha owned by Andrew Hodge of Tauranga, are aiming for 82,000 kg/ms.


James and Rachel Otto, farming 535 cows on 160ha owned by Fraser and Gillean Mclead Searle of Whakatane, are aiming for 168,000 kg/ms.


Grant Thomson, farming 418 cows on 140ha owned by Bremna Farms of Opotiki, is aiming for 140,000 kg/ms.

Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year finalists are:


Tony Baker, who is managing 694 cows on 242ha near Tauranga;

Thomas Blackett and Stacey Lepper, managing 409 cows on 180ha at Whakatane;

Jamie Burt, managing 297 cows on 100ha at Te Puke;

Simon Davis, managing 349 cows on 77ha at Te Puke;

Caleb Lally, managing 690 cows on 163ha at Te Puke;

Luther and Jessica Siemelink, managing 460 cows on 112ha at Te Puke.

The Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainees of the Year finalists are:

Andrew Cameron of Te Puke;Josh Cozens of Whakatane; Josh Hedley of Waimana; Cameron Luxton of Murupara; Jodie Mexted of Whakatane; Jeff White of Te Puke.