Persistence has paid off for an Atiamuri dairy farming couple who have won the Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year title for the Central Plateau.
Garth and Nicola Thomson, who manage a 370 cow farm, were placed second in the contest last year.
Blair and Andrea Muggeridge, also second time contestants, are the region's Farm Managers of the Year.
Todd Adamson is the Dairy Trainee of the Year.
