Local farmers are gearing up for the finals of the 2016 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
Finalists representing 11 regions will compete for prizes worth more than $165,000 and the honour of winning either the 2016 New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year, 2016 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year or the 2016 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year title.
Among the finalists are Reporoa's Ross and Karla Shaw who are representing Central Plateau in the Share Farmer of the Year category. Whakatane's Glen and Donna Sparrow are representing the Bay of Plenty.
The local Dairy Manager of the Year finalists are Whakatane's Thomas Chatfield , who is representing the Bay of Plenty, and Mangakino's Leighton Swan, who is representing Central Plateau.
Whakatane's Michael Simpson and Olivia Wade from Atiamuri are Dairy Trainee of the Year finalists.