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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.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
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.
