Taranaki’s longest-running dairying competition is preparing to celebrate a major milestone.

Next March will mark 40 years since the region staged New Zealand’s first contest for sharemilkers.

In the build-up to entries opening for the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards on October 20th, launches are being held across Taranaki.

They’re at Farm Source stores in Waitara and Waverley on October 14th and in Opunake and Hawera on October 21st.

“It’ll be really informal, so you can turn up in your overalls and gumboots,” said regional convenor Rob van den Brand.

“It’s an opportunity for everyone from trainees to farm owners to ask previous winners about the huge benefits of entering.”

“Plus there’ll be a free lunch,” he added.

Lunch will be available from 12pm until 1.30pm.

Tariki variable order sharemilker Sam Howard, who is the 2016 Taranaki Farm Manager of the Year, is urging farmers to get involved.

“The competition motivated me to write down my goals and figure out a pathway to achieve them,” Mr Howard said.

“Meeting current and previous winners from different parts of New Zealand has been a major highlight.”

“The awards helped me see the huge opportunities which exist in the dairy industry for people who work hard,” he added.

Check out the competition’s website https://www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz/.