Nominations are being requested for women working in the dairy industry demonstrating the qualities ‘connect, share and inspire’, to be considered for this year’s Dairy Industry Woman of the Year Award.

The award celebrates the achievements of women in the British dairy industry and is run by Women in Dairy, which is a Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) initiative.

The group is designed to bring women working in the dairy sector together through regional discussion group meetings.

Successful candidates must practice the three Women in Dairy values through their work – connecting with others both in the industry and wider public, sharing their knowledge and experience and inspiring their peers.

Previous award winners include livestock consultant Jude Capper, Mary Quicke of Quicke’s Cheese, dairy farmer and AHDB, Nationals Farmers’ Union (NFU) board representative Janette Prince and most recently Karen Halton of Halton Farms.

‘There are a lot of inspiring women involved in our industry’

Women in Dairy patron Di Wastenage said:

“There are a lot of inspiring women involved in our industry who are fundamental to driving the sector forward.

“Awards like this are important to recognise and reward their success.

Nominees do not need to work on a dairy farm, but they must be involved in the industry. This means as well as farmers we can receive nominations for vets, consultants, technicians and people working right across the dairy supply chain.

Last year’s winner Karen Halton said it had been an honour and a pleasure to hold the title.

“I am proud to be an ambassador and promote a wonderful industry and this award will forever be at the top of my lifetime achievements list.

“It is important we continue to promote and reward the great women working in dairy and show the next generation there are great things to be achieved in our industry.”

Nominations close on July 16, after which all entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges and the finalists selected.

Finalists will then be contacted for a short interview with judges and a member of the steering committee.

The winner of the award, sponsored by HSBC, will be announced at the Women in Dairy Conference, taking place virtually, on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.