The Welsh branch of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU Cymru) is seeking the winner of its Dairy Stockperson of the Year award.
The union said the search is on for what will be the tenth winner of the award, which seeks to champion “dedicated, committed and enthusiastic” dairy stock managers from across Wales.
The closing date for entries is Monday, September 25, and the winner will be announced at this year’s Welsh Dairy Show on Tuesday, October 24, at the United Counties Showground, Carmarthen.
This year’s winner will receive £500 and a Welsh slate engraved cheese board.
NFU Cymru dairy board chair, Jonathan Wilkinson, said: “As a dairy farmer, I am very passionate about the agricultural industry and championing those individuals who go the extra mile to ensure they have happy, healthy cows is important.
“The award aims to recognise the key role that a good dairy stockperson plays in a successful dairy enterprise and the Welsh dairy industry as a whole.
“Potential award winners will be judged on their care and management of the herd, the breeding programme, their handling skills, their involvement in the dairy enterprise and their knowledge of the dairy industry in Wales.”
Wilkinson urged all NFU members to nominate a dairy farmer or manager in their area who they believe deserves to be recognised for their work in the industry.
NFU Cymru and NFU Mutual group secretary for Llandeilo, Rhys Williams, will be judging on behalf of NFU Mutual this year.
“The quality of stockmanship is a major factor in determining the success of any dairy enterprise,” he said.
“We have some superb stockpeople involved in the dairy industry in Wales and I am confident that this will be a keenly contested competition and one which NFU Mutual is pleased to support as the leading farming insurer.”
