Friday, October 23, was a big day for the Nyentap family at Marvellane Farms. That was the day that representatives from Purina, John Deere and Green Tech Ag & Turf dropped by to deliver a brand new John Deere Gator utility vehicle to the winning recipients of a contest sponsored by Purina and John Deere.

The rules of the contest were simple: Any farmer across Ontario that used Purina products to feed their farm animals, qualified for a ballot into the draw that was held on September 16, at the Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Ontario.

Theo and Maria Nyentap run a dairy farm outside Marvelville where they feed their head of 120 dairy cows Purina dairy feed.

When asked why Purina and John Deere worked in partnership for this contest, John Deere Canada representative, Jennifer Christie said, "John Deere recognizes Purina’s track record of developing high quality animal nutrition products, in particular, for livestock and dairy. John Deere also promotes the production of high quality hay and due to the strong nutritional value of the Purina brand that farmers feed to their animals, they can expect that result. John Deere and Purina are simply a perfect fit."

Green Tech Ag & Turf supplied the Gator and manager Ron Barr handed over the keys to the Nyentaps.

"It’s great to win this new vehicle," said Maria Nyentap. "It will come in very handy on the farm."

This is the second time that a John Deere prizewinner has come from the area. Last year’s winner was John Montgomery from Newington, Ontario.