Awards and Categories

Research & Development – Ruminant Award
Veterinary Science helps to maintain food supply through livestock health monitoring. There is a lot of research carried out in Ireland, by some of the most highly respected people not alone in Ireland but throughout the world. We are a food paradise and we have veterinary scientists, nutritionists and geneticists identifying problems, finding solutions and then sharing this knowledge for the greater good of quality food production, enhancing animal welfare and protecting the environment. We are now looking for you to submit nominations for the Norbrook Laboratories Award.

What the judges are looking for
The judges are looking for research and development individuals whose work can clearly demonstrate a positive impact on animal production in a sustainable manner. The judging panel are keen to hear from researchers that have researched or are researching projects that will enhance food production without compromising the animals welfare or the environment. Research that clearly illustrates a move away from reliance on antibiotic usage will impress the judging panel.

Intensive Livestock Production Award 
Producing food is first and foremost an economic activity. Agriculture is an industry which makes a significant contribution to our economy. We constantly hear comments such as increasing production efficiencies, lifting agricultural performance, optimising farm incomes. Livestock production is likely to be increasingly affected by carbon and environmental constraints as well as animal welfare legislation. The nominees for this category will need to show that their activities are taking into account national and international legislation requirement to produce food in a sustainable manner.

What the judges are looking for
The judges will be looking to hear from professionals whose actions have helped their clients to become more efficient in every aspect of their business. Of particular interest to the judging panel will be the performance of individuals which have led directly to a reduction in use of antimicrobials. The judging panel are keen to hear from persons who implemented a knowledge transfer programme for the benefit of their clients, animal welfare and the environment.

Distinguished Service Award 
Distinguished service award is an ambiguous term often used to describe an organisation’s highest award for services and contributions. We all know people in the animal health industry that have made significant contributions through their own work over the year whether it may be private enterprise, the state service or in a voluntary capacity. The award will go to a person where contributions through the course of their work have made a meaningful contribution to the people and their industry they work in. This award is open to Irish volunteers in third world countries whose activities have enhanced the lives of others.

What the judges are looking for
This award will go to a remarkable person who has provided a sustained service and commitment to the people and the industry they serve. The judges will acknowledge the profound impact the recipient of this award has either directly or indirectly on food production. The judges will be looking out for how the work of “the distinguished person” impacted on others. Supporting documentation of their activities would be much appreciated to help in the selection process.

Companion Animal Person of the Year Award
We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate person who has gone beyond the call of duty in the care of companion animals. This award is open to practice managers to enter a veterinary nurse, a responsible person or a veterinary practitioner from their practice. This award is open to veterinary nurses or responsible persons working in pet stores. If you know someone worthy of
this award nominate them now. Nominees for this category must support their application with testimonials from their clients.

What the judges are looking for
A companion animal person of the year award nominee must be a person that stands head and shoulders above their contemporaries in providing pet owners with appropriate information on diseases and product information to ensure the best level of pet care. The winner will be able to demonstrate outstanding levels of professionalism to both pets and their owners. Entrants should be able to demonstrate how they provide best practice, practical, tailored advise to their customers and the benefits this brings. The judges will also be pleased to hear from nominees that have helped in the rescue and recovery of neglected pets.

Vet Practice of the Year >10 people employed
Veterinary practices are a hive of activity be they large animal, equine, companion animal or in many cases a mixture of all three. Employees in these practices come from a diverse educational background. In order to provide the excellent service (24/7,365 days of the year) someone must “drive the bus” and take responsibility. The services provided are so varied it requires a team effort all rowing the boat the one way. We are looking for a practice or a person within the practice that shows calmness, organisational skills, people skills and commitment to best customer care and animal welfare. This is an award sponsored by MSD Animal Health which may well generate much discussion before nominations are submitted. If you feel your practice fits the bill nominate now.

What the judges are looking for
The judges are looking for an impressive all round professional who is committed to best practice so their services will ensure the very best care for the animal under their care in a safe environment. The judges will also be keen to hear from people who are committed to lifelong learning and encouraging others in the practice to upskill for the benefit of their business, customers and animals.

Vet & Trade Supplier of the Year Award
There are a number of sources where retailers of veterinary medicines get information on diseases, legislation and products such as Its Your Field, APHA compendium and the HPRA website. Many retailers depend on the professionalism of the technical sales representative. There are many representatives of animal health companies who live and breathe the trade. Their enthusiasm and excellent product knowledge and the support they give vets, vet nurses and responsible person is of the highest order. This is your chance as a vet, a vet nurse or a responsible person to nominate a trade supplier with excellent product knowledge, communication skills and sales skills which benefit you and your business.

What the judges are looking for
The judges will be trawling through testimonials to pick out the trade supplier who shows commitment to enhancing people knowledge in the job they do. Of particular interest will be the trade supplier who has demonstrated how their action has resulted in safe use of medicines actions that contributes to prolonging the life of anthelmintics and actions that contribute to sustainable use of animal health product. Kynetec are committed to best practice and this award will go to the person or company that has demonstrated their commitment to supporting their customers through their knowledge transfer capabilities.

Vet Practice of the Year Award < 10 people
There are many two and three person vet practices providing an excellent service to animals under their care. Irrespective of the size of the practice it is the quality of care and professionalism of the veterinary practitioner, the veterinary nurse or the responsible person in the practice is what Huvepharma award is recognising. There are many heroes in this category and Huvepharma wants to recognise and reward such heroes. If you feel your practice or a person within the practice should be nominated now is the time to submit your nomination.

What the judges are looking for
The judges will be looking for leadership and professionalism. Customer care and animal care are going to be important attributes to the person that wins this award. Entrants should demonstrate how they provide best practice. Entrants should offer clear examples of instances of best practice advice.

Independent Store of the Year > 10 people employed.
Chanelle Pharma are keenly aware of attention to detail and what separates the good store from the outstanding store. Running an independent agri store with ten or more staff requires a team effort under an outstanding manager. Nominations for this award will come from retailers (or customers) who believe strongly in the power of teamwork and working together in order to sustain a spirit of cooperation, fulfilment, pride and passion in the company and one another.

What the judges are looking for
The judges are looking for a store whose manager and employees are committed to providing an enjoyable environment for customers. With more than ten people employed the judges will be on the lookout for practices that ensure the health and safety of employees and customers in the store and yard. The judges will be looking for commitment to upskilling and ongoing training in health and safety. Being able to demonstrate valued added service to their customers will make a big impression on our judges. If you feel your store fits the criteria submit your nominations now and be in with a chance of taking home the Chanelle Pharma trophy and prize.

Vet Nurse of the Year Award
In companion animal practices some of the most dedicated and hardworking people in the country are found. Many work unsociable hours, remain on for as long as it takes to be sure the animals under their care receive maximum support. Their work sometimes involves being a counsellor to the pet owner. Have you this type of person in your practice? Is it you? If so, you should submit your nomination and be shortlisted for Virbac Animal Health award. Submit nominations for the vet nurse that you regard as the heartbeat of the practice. Candidates for this award should be well organised and demonstrate leadership qualities and a personable nature.

What the judges are looking for
The judges will be looking to interview someone with exemplary managerial skills and someone who is highly rated by their customers. The judges are looking to interview nominees that pride themselves in caring for the animals under their care. Nominees that are able to demonstrate how to continuously strive to improve customer satisfaction in line with Virbac’s ethos will be in with a serious chance of becoming the veterinary nurse of the year. Recommendations from veterinary practitioners, practice managers, a colleague or a client supporting your application will be of interest to the judging panel when selecting the finalists.

Independent Store of the Year < 10 people employed.
Many of our agristores are two, three and four person operations. It is sometimes difficult to work in this situation in particular if one staff member is off sick or on a training course. Much of the retail business is carried out by such independent stores and Agrihealth want to be associated with such stores. You should enter this category if you can demonstrate
your activities reflect best practice and you provide a service your customers appreciate. The Agrihealth trophy and prize can only be won by you if your nomination is submitted and the judges agree – fill in the nomination form now.

What the judges are looking for
Commitment to customer care, customer satisfaction and customer service. The judges will want to hear of activities you carried out to ensure your store is compliant with current legislation. The judges will be interested to know about any value added or on site promotions as well as knowledge transfer tin the form of information days. If there is any other information you wish to share that demonstrates your professionalism the judges will be pleased to hear from you.

Innovative Vet of the Year Award
Innovation is crucial to the continuing success of the agri food industry. In business innovation often results when ideas are applied by the company in order to further the needs and expectations of the customer. We are looking for a veterinary surgeon (not necessary to be in practice) that has come up with an idea that may help improve the welfare of animals or contributed to safer food. Antimicrobial resistance and pet obesity are leading concerns in the animal health industry. Do you know of a veterinary surgeon that has the attributes to be crowned the Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health Innovative Vet of the Year?

What the judges are looking for
Innovation is the process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value for which the customer will pay. This award will be presented to someone who is thinking outside the box. The judges will be looking out for initiative and your ideas that are applicable to the animal health industry and of course they must be economical. The judging panel will be keen to discuss your innovative idea, product or service. They will want to give the Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health Award to someone who can demonstrate their idea, product or service further satisfies the needs and expectation of the customer. It could be a product that augments or enhances reproduction, it may be an innovative service such as a laboratory service or a software management system to name but a few. We know that you are out there – submit your nomination now.

Store Manager of the Year Award

This award is in recognition of staff members who have exceeded their performance of their duties as well as promoted team work and inspired excellence in others. Proof of surpassing their goals and targets will be required. If you feel you are the person for the Provita Animal Health trophy or you know someone in your store that ticks all the boxes don’t delay and send in your nominations as soon as possible.

What the judges are looking for
Most store managers do an excellent job and the standards in all stores have improved dramatically in the last twenty years. The judges will assess nominations from small stores, large stores, veterinary practices, animal health centres and veterinary pharmacists. You will need to demonstrate your leadership qualities and your ability to bring all the team with you so your customers will get the best customer care.

Farm Animal Nutrition Award
An animal nutritionist is a person that has an interest in science and animal welfare.  Good communication skills and an aptitude for business management.  The role of an animal nutritionist is to promote a better understanding of the effect of diet on the health, well-being and productivity of animals.  Animal nutritionists are experts in assessing the relative nutritional and economic value of feeding systems.  They are people who are able to formulate diets and rations to maximise growth, reproduction, health and performance.

What the judges are looking for
The judges will be looking for nominees that have a clear understanding of the scientific basis of nutrition.  Nutrition sounds very complicated t the farmer so the judges will be looking for nominees that are effective communicators.  They will look for nominees that can work as a team player with vets, agricultural consultants, producers of livestock and other professionals.  The judges will be interested in interviewing animal nutritionists that have carried out research which has made a positive contribution to animal production and the environment.  This is a new category and the Alltech trophy will be yours if you can demonstrate that you have all of the above attributes.

Customer care/Front of Counter Award
The winner from this category will be passionate about creating and delivering a welcome environment in store. Testimonials from customers (should accompany the nomination form) providing details of how your initiative contributed to outstanding service and customer satisfaction. Feel free to submit pictures of your store/reception area which shows the pride you have in your work and a tidy workplace. The Hygeia award is open to receptionists, secretaries in vet surgeries as well as employees in animal health centres, agricultural merchants, pharmacies, agricultural co-ops and pet shops. A colleague or customer may enter you into the Hygeia Customer care/Front of Counter Award.

What the judges are looking for
The judges will be looking for nominees that are welcoming, helpful and passionate about their work. Fantastic communication skills, knowledgeable and an ability to inform customers and put their minds at ease. The judges would like to hear from people that can show how they manage to hold on to customers. The judges will also want to know how your activities put the customer first at all times. Trust is a very important part of this award – clients return to suppliers they can trust.

Co-op Store Person of the Year Award
The basic theory of co-operatives is the pooling together of farmers resources for a common purpose to generate profit. In Ireland today we have a well-educated farming community; many are members of co-ops where they supply their produce. In turn their co-op stores supply the farmer with inputs to help with the production of food that is safe for the consumer.

What the judges are looking for
For consumers to purchase Irish food they must have confidence in what they are consuming and be assured the produce is free of residues and contaminants. The judging panel are keen to hear from individuals that work in co-ops who promote best practice. The judging panel are consumers and they will want to be assured that all inputs are fully traceable. They will
be impressed with nominees that can demonstrate good record keeping. Nominees in this category need to be able to demonstrate their ability to connect with their clients and promote the two way relationship of buying inputs from their co-op and supplying finished product to their co-op thereby promoting the co-op ethos and further reassuring the customer of accurate traceability along the food chain.

Responsible Person of the Year Award
You will have to be an outstanding person to win this award. There are many fine individuals in the retail of animal health products. The nominee will have to show commitment to lifelong learning and the enhancement of personal skills and knowledge for the benefit of their business, customers and animals. The winner will be proactive and passionate about animal health and welfare.

What the judges are looking for
The judges will be looking for examples of how you promote best practice. Using animal remedies in a responsible manner and an ability to demonstrate where you took practical steps to ensure your client was using medicines if only absolutely necessary. The judges are keen to hear from Responsible Person who have demonstrated best practice at all times and where nutrition, vaccination and general good farm management were encouraged to support the health and wellbeing of the animal. Responsible Persons who advocate Fecal Egg Counts and Fecal Egg Reduction Count test will be in with a big chance of taking home the Animax Responsible Person of the Year Award.

Rising Star in Animal Health Award
We all like to spot emerging talent be it sport, music or in the workplace. Everyone knows some “green shoots” in the animal health industry. This award will be presented to a veterinarian or other professional associated with animal health that can demonstrate that their activities and leadership in their place of employment. This award is open to veterinarians who have graduated in the last five years. Ultimately enhancing food production, animal welfare while having due consideration for the environment.

What the judges are looking for
The judging panel will be on the lookout for “that something special” in what will no doubt be a hotly contested category. The judges expect testimonials from your colleagues to support your nomination. Nominees in this category will need to be able to demonstrate that their actions within the practice has had a positive effect on clients and colleagues. The nominee’s exceptional conduct should reflect an overall positive image of the veterinary profession.

Ovine Person of the Year Award
Researchers provide and play a key role in sheep health in particular in the area of anthelmintic resistance, lameness, genetics and nutrition.  Farm animal veterinarian play a key role in the food supply chain providing expertise in treatment of sick animals and preventative diseases through herd health planning.  Communication with sheep farmers to get key messages on flock health is a challenge.  We all know people in research and in practice that have that something special to communicate effectively with the sheep farmer.

What the judges are looking for
The nominee that can demonstrate this ability to impart knowledge to the producer will be of interest to the judges.  They will be looking at technique employed by veterinarians, nutritionists or others to engage with the sheep farmer.  The judges will be impressed with animal health professionals that provide advice on best practice for preventing diseases.  The nominees that can show how thorough their actions helped reduce inefficiencies in sheep production will most likely take home the Acravet Ovine Person of the Year Award.

Bovine Vet of The Year

Agriculture and food production are an important part of our economy.  Our reputation for producing top quality beef and milk products was built on the hard work and dedicated service of many people including bovine vets.  Our vets play an important role in the treatment of disease in cattle. In addition they play a key role in educating farmers and advising farmers of the importance of reducing the incidence or the impact of disease arising in the first place.  There are many examples of dedicated bovine vets in the country.

What the judges are looking for

Animal production is all about doing the simple things well and preventing disease occurring in the first place.  The judges will be looking out for vets that can demonstrate how they managed to improve the farming habits of their client which resulted in improved animal health and welfare and a corresponding reduction in the reliance and usage of antimicrobials.  The judging panel are keen to hear from nominees that helped implement farm plans around bovine fertility, vaccinations programmes and improved biosecurity protocol.  Trying to short list for this category will be a challenge for our judging panel.  They will want to know about that little extra that you have over and above.