A broad approach to environment
OPINION: As an on-farm judge for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for many years, I’ve witnessed first-hand how dramatically New Zealand agriculture and horticulture has transformed over the past three decades.
Mark and Jane Johnson have been named 2022 Regional Supreme Winners in the East Coast Balance Farm Environment Awards.
Run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, the awards champion sustainable farming and growing.
The winners of the awards were announced at a function earlier this week on 28 June.
Working together as a team, Jane and Mark have made numerous improvements to the 1,500ha sheep and cattle farm where they fun 4,400 ewes, 2,200 trade lambs and just over 1,800 cattle.
Alongside their valued staff, they have developed the farm so it’s in better shape than when they arrived – in terms of both the environmental and financial performance.
Pasture management has resulted in highly productive stock, while infrastructure improvements encompass fencing, water reticulation and building a bridge across the Mōtū River.
The river has been fenced off to create a wetland area with native planting planned along its banks to provide shelter and enhance biodiversity.
The judges said they were impressed with how Mark and Jane’s complementary skills enabled them to run a profitable business while undertaking significant environmental projects.
“This energetic couple walk the talk. They complement each other in the business and work to their strengths, with one managing the stock, and the other managing the operations and development of the property,” the judges said.
A field day will be held at Alcuin Station later this year.
East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Award Winners
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…