Builder-turned-farmer Cameron Luxton of Galatea is among 10 young people competing for the title of 2014 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year, with the winner being announced tonight.

Galatea's Cameron Luxton is 2014's Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Ruth Hone, of Marotiri near Taupo, is 2014's Central Plateau Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Cameron, who is the 2014 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year, left a building apprenticeship at Papamoa to join the dairy industry – and is loving the change.

'Through the support of my employers I have moved my farming career forward, and I'm excited about going further. I want to be the best farmer I can be for my family, community and industry.”

This year women make up half the New Zealand Dairy Trainee finalists, and include Ruth Hone, of Marotiri, near Taupo, who is 2014's Central Plateau Dairy Trainee of the Year.

'I believe I was born and bred to be a dairy farmer; I have always wanted to be one,” says Ruth, who grew up on her parent's dairy farm near Rotorua.

Ruth and Cameron joined eight other regional winners on a study tour of the Waikato on Monday – and tonight the winner will be announced during the 2014 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards black tie dinner of 650 people in Auckland.

Winners in the 2014 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year and 2014 New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year will also be announced at the dinner, with the winners sharing in a prize pool worth more than $170,000.

'The girls have really demonstrated that they can match the guys this year – and that a dairy farming career is one they can not only choose, but excel in,” says national convenor Chris Keeping.

Chris says the dairy trainee finalists are talented and represent the type of people attracted to and succeeding in the industry, with five holding Bachelor degrees, and another two with completed apprenticeships.

'They are young and ambitious; they enjoy what they do and they can see opportunities within a dairy farming career pathway that will lead them to their end goal of farm ownership or the like.”

Chris says the youngest trainee finalist, Alice Gysbertsen representing the Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa region, is just 19 but has considerable dairy farming experience having grown up on a dairy farm.

In contrast, Canterbury/North Otago's Isaac Vujcich, aged 28, is the oldest finalist and has a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in marketing and management, and worked in Information Technology for four years before switching to dairying.

Trainees are assisting on farms milking 180 to 800 cows, scattered from Northland's Kerikeri to Southland's Winton.

'The dairy trainee contest is now, by far, the largest and most competitive of the three competitions, with 292 entries received for the 2014 contest.”

Chris says interest in the trainee contest is growing yearly, with entry numbers increasing.

'We are getting people coming back and entering again – not to necessarily win – but for the awards experience, as it does help to motivate, lift confidence and enhance industry enthusiasm for those who do enter.

'The contest also provides a social meeting place for the trainees, where they can meet other entrants that are similar-minded and keen to progress in the industry.”

Chris says the study tour, which began in South Auckland but is based in Waikato, aimed to excite and educate trainees.

'We introduce them to a range of dairy farmers, who share their farming story as well as showcase some of the top operators and the type of technology they are applying to achieve great results.

'The tour is about broadening their horizons and letting them see what is possible, while also ensuring they have some fun along the way,” says Chris.

'I'm sure most of these finalists will stay in touch for years to come and support each other as they progress in the dairy industry.”

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

The 2014 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year finalists:

• Northland – Matthew Snedden
• Auckland/Hauraki – Marion Reynolds
• Bay of Plenty – Cameron Luxton
• Central Plateau – Ruth Hone
• Taranaki – Ben Frost
• Manawatu – Hayley Hoogendyk
• Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa – Alice Gysbertsen.
• West Coast/Top of the South – Amy White
• Canterbury/North Otago – Isaac Vujcich
• Southland/Otago – Josh Lavender.

For more information on the finalists, visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz