OMAHA (DTN) -- Whether herding livestock, riding along while farmers work their fields or just snuggling up near the couch in the evening, dogs hold a special place in farm life. American Farm Bureau Federation is recognizing these faithful canine companions again this year with its seventh annual Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest.

Farmers are invited to submit nominations for this year's competition, which is sponsored by Nestle Purina PetCare. The winner gets free dog food for a year, cash prizes and a chance to showcase the many ways these furry friends support farmers and ranchers.

Desired attributes for the Farm Dog of the Year include helpfulness to the family, playfulness and obedience.

Skippy, a border collie, Catahoula hound and Australian shepherd mix, was last year's Farm Dog of the Year.

Like Bindi, Woody, Fit and other Farm Dog of the Year recipients before her, Skippy was chosen as 2024's top dog because of her outstanding nomination, her contributions to the farm and her family. Skippy's owner, farmer Donald Adams, was injured while baling and was paralyzed from the neck down. Skippy helps with the cattle and livestock and helped support her owners throughout Adams' long recovery process.

"She's all of the above: She's a partner, she's a pet, she's right there with us, helping us with the cattle every day," Adams said in the 2024 Farm Dog of the Year video that featured Skippy.

Grand prize winners will receive $5,000 cash, a year's worth of Purina Pro Plan dog food, a $500 travel stipend and two free adult registrations to attend the 2025 AFBF Convention in January 2025. The winning Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year will be recognized during an award ceremony. Additionally, the winning pet will be featured in a professionally produced video that details the dog's accomplishments, love and companionship it brings to the farm table.

Videos of previous winners such as Skippy, Bindi, Woody and Fit can be found here: https://www.fb.org/….

"We're pleased to continue this popular contest, which offers a glimpse into daily life on the farm or ranch for people who may not have the opportunity to experience it for themselves," AFBF President Zippy Duvall stated in a news release.

"Farm dogs play an important role on a family farm, from helping to herd livestock or birder, to providing companionship in the field and at home. We are proud to support and celebrate hard-working and loving farm dogs through the American Farm Bureaus' Farm Dog of the Year contest," stated Jack Scott, vice president, sustainable sourcing, at Purina. "Purina sources nutritious ingredients from American farms to make our pet food, and we support the hard work and dedication of American farmers feeding generations of people and pets."

A panel of judges will select the 2025 winner. Members of the public will be invited to vote online for their favorite dog in the People's Choice Pup contest for a chance to win a $2,500 cash prize, a $500 travel stipend and two registrations to the convention.

Eligibility guidelines and submission requirements are available here: https://www.fb.org/…. Farm Dog of the Year nominations, which include written responses to questions, at least one still photo and a video clip (optional), must be received by July 12, 2024, for consideration.

In 2019, DTN/Progressive Farmer published an article about Woody, the 2019 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year. To read about Woody, visit https://www.dtnpf.com/….

Susan Payne can be reached at susan.payne@dtn.com

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