“This substantially boosted public interest and we had excellent attendance at all of our events.
“We anticipate this level of interest will continue in 2016,” Todhunter said.
The competition offers $40,000 in prizes including the $20,000 travel grant top prize to undertake further farm study or pursue farm business opportunities, plus four $5000 awards for the best performers in specific competition sections.
One of the keys to attracting good numbers and a high quality of entries was nominations.
“In earlier years it was difficult to get farmers to put their own hand up, but since we have allowed nominations, entries have shot up as it seems to take the tall poppy factor out of it and farmers are more willing to let their nomination go forward,” Todhunter said.
He encouraged agribusinesses, agricultural societies and foundations, and related organisations to get behind the competition and make nominations to help keep both the quality and variety of entries to the highest level.
It was not just big farming operations that the foundation was looking for.
“We’re looking for leadership, innovation and farming excellence, which can be found equally in small family-owned farm businesses and within large commercial agricultural entities.”
The competition was open to all primary production farm businesses including agriculture, horticulture, viticulture and aquaculture.
Nominations and entries close on August 1. For entry forms go to http://www.lincolnuniversityfoundation.org.nz/how-to-enter/apply-online/
Judging would take place throughout September and October with the finals at Lincoln University in November.
