Mr Wines said winning the 2018 farm business management award was beneficial for his operation.

"Everyone who goes in is a quality farmer, it comes down to how the judges interpret your business, anyone who was in the room was good enough to receive the award," he said.

"For any younger person it is well beneficial, it stops you being lax in your business. It gives you the reassurance you are doing the right thing.

"From the award one of the prizes was spending time with a consultant, and now I have seen him two or three times since and he runs his eyes over the business side.

"There is so much we can learn off other farmers, it might be something small that I can incorporate into my business. It's good to get off farm and see what other people are doing."

Nominations are now open for the Great South West Dairy Awards, after moving to a biennial format from 2018.

WestVic Dairy regional manager Lindsay Ferguson said it was important farmers were proud of the work they did and nominated for the awards.

"(People) can be reluctant to put themselves forward for this kind of recognition," Mr Ferguson said.

"They often don't think what they are doing is special.

"As an industry we need to be celebrating our achievements."

Application forms for the awards are available at www.westvicdairy.com.au, or from the WestVic Dairy office.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Warrnambool in March 2020.