increase font size
New Zealand farming does not celebrate success enough, says Dr William Rolleston, Federated Farmers national president.
"As the farmer-comedian Te Radar told us at Federated Farmers' National Conference, we do not take time to stop and appreciate just how good our farmers really are," he says.
Rolleston says this is why competitions like the South Island Farmer of the Year matter.
"They are our chance to show urban New Zealand the excellence of our farming systems. We can only show off our industry if people enter into competitions like this.
"In that respect there isn't a lot of time left as nominations and entries close on 1 August.
"You may not have much time but it is worth it with a $20,000 travel grant for the winner and four special category prizes worth $5,000 each. There is also the huge benefit of getting judges to provide your farm business with a free independent assessment.
"Leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, all the hallmarks of South Island farming, is what the Lincoln University Foundation Trust is looking for in the entries."
Entries can be made directly by farmers or by anyone else singling out a farm business as being a worthy nominee.
To nominate someone or to get an entry form for yourself, visit www.lincolnuniversityfoundation.org.nz.
The 2013 award was won by the winemaker, Peter Yealands.
Judging takes place September/October and the final will be held at Lincoln University in November.
"What we're hoping for is for farmers and the friends of farmers to take this opportunity because the South Island's next top farmer is out there," says Rolleston.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to highlight the most troublesome farm pests – a serious issue that needs some urgent attention from the Beehive.
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.
Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping "The Twelve Days of Christmas" for "The Twelve Pests of Christmas" in an effort to highlight the most troublesome farm pests.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
Grace Su, a recent optometry graduate from the University of Auckland, is moving to Tauranga to start work in a practice where she worked while participating in the university's Rural Health Interprofessional Programme (RHIP).
Two farmers and two farming companies were recently convicted and fined a total of $108,000 for environmental offending.
According to Ravensdown's most recent Market Outlook report, a combination of geopolitical movements and volatile market responses are impacting the global fertiliser landscape.
OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…
