increase font size
New Zealand Farm Environment Trust general manager Sarah Harris.
With entries now open for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, organisers have launched a campaign to bust some of the biggest myths they think might be preventing farmers and growers from putting themselves forward.
New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFET) general manager Sarah Harris says the campaign was inspired by conversations with previous entrants, which revealed a number of common myths about the awards.
"We know there are exceptional farmers and growers across New Zealand who would make fantastic entrants, but misconceptions about the awards often stop them from putting their names forward," says Harris.
"Attracting a strong field of entrants is essential. The integrity and reputation of the awards relies on recognising high-performing businesses that are willing to share their journey and inspire others."
One of the most common myths is that entrants must be Ballance Agri-Nutrients customers.
"While Ballance is our principal sponsor, the awards are owned and delivered by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, an independent charitable trust supported by a wide range of industry partners. You certainly don't need to be a Ballance customer to enter," Harris says.
Another common excuse Harris said her regional committees hear is 'I'm not ready'.
"The reality is that very few people ever feel ready. The awards aren't about perfection - they're about the journey and peoples' willingness to keep improving."
With New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions in the spotlight, Auckland scientist Nathan Balasingham says there’s a better way to tackle the problem than shrinking cow numbers or fertiliser usage.
Synlait's longest serving employee – a man who joined the Canterbury-based milk processor even before it began processing milk – is now its newest executive.
I am often asked by industry people, what are the options for removing a grapevine without producing a phytosanitary problem? Can it be done sustainably? What will it cost me?
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
As farmers begin thinking about establishing next year’s winter forage crops, Beef + Lamb NZ is encouraging farmers to carefully consider what crops they are planting and where.
Three men have been sentenced in District Courts after Ministry for Primary Industries prosecutions over animal welfare, food safety and cattle tracing offences.
Fonterra’s 2026 financial year was a year of delivery, with record volumes of milk collected, processed and shipped by the co-op.
OPINION: The Government's decision to reinstate agriculture and horticultural science as a standalone subject from Year 11 is the right one.
Dairy farmers, still holding onto their Fonterra shares despite switching milk supply elsewhere or exiting the industry, now face a stricter share sell-down requirement.
Hamilton-based agritech company Aimer Farming has completed a $3 million capital raise to support its next stage of growth, including a beef farming product due to launch in 2027.
When dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen learned the farm, she was joining held weekly health and safety meetings, she initially thought that was “a bit over the top”. Experiencing that culture changed her mind.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
