A strong showing of Te Puke farmers in the 2014 Bay of Plenty Dairy Awards have less than a week until the find out if they'll win at gala dinner at the Awakeri Events Centre on March 19.

Seven farmers from the Te Puke area are among the finalists in the three categories, while other entrants come from Whakatane, Tauranga, Opotiki, Murupara and Waimana.

Richard and Amy Fowler, convenors 2014 Bay of Plenty Dairy Awards, are previous award winners.

Judging 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 was completed late last month.

The Bay of Plenty's Dairy Awards regional convenors Richard and Amy Fowler say the event continues 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.

This year's entrants are competing for cash and prizes worth $50,100 and the honour of winning the regional title.

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.

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).

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