Dairy unity
OPINION: A last-minute compromise ensured that the election of the new Federated Farmers national dairy chair wasn't a repeat of the Super 15 rugby final - Canterbury versus Waikato.
Finalists in each of nine categories have been selected by independent judges for the 2022 Arable Awards of New Zealand, to be presented at a special event at Te Pae, Christchurch, on August 4.
“With Covid, supply chain and workforce disruption, inflation and all the other challenges going on, one might have thought nominating arable industry heroes for awards could slip as a priority,” says Colin Hurst, Federated Farmers Arable Group chairperson and national board member.
But not so, as there were 80 nominations.
“Clearly there are many others who, like Federated Farmers and our Arable Awards partners FAR, United Wheat growers and NZGSTA, recognise the value of celebrating and honouring the leaders and rising stars among our arable producers,” he says.
Judges have named Federated Farmers Southland President, Arable executive member David Birket and immediate past national vice-president Karen Williams (along with her husband Mick) as the three finalists for Arable Farmer of the Year.
“We are excited to bring the Arable Awards of New Zealand to life, an event put together by industry, for industry,” Hurst says.
Finalists
Agronomist of the Year
- Anna Gillum
- David Weith
- Roger Lasham
- Rowland Tsimba
Grower of the Year – Grain
- David & Anna Irving
- Geoff Maw
- Will MacKenzie
Grower of the Year – Small Seed
- Hamis Marr
- John McCaw
- Ronald Hydes
Grower of the Year – Maize
- Alastair Barnett
- Chris Pellow
Emerging Talent Award
- Andrew Darling
- Ethan Flack
- Lauren Beattie
Environment & Sustainability Award
- Karen & Mick Williams
- Simon Osborne
- Taggart Farms Ltd.
Arable Farmer of the Year
- David Birkett
- Karen & Mick Williams
- Chris Dillon
Innovation Award
- Auld Distillery
- E-Check Far Environment Team
- Hopefield Hemp
Arable Food Champion
- Angela Clifford
- Blair & Jody Drysdale
Rob & Toni Auld
