Tuesday, 09 October 2012 09:22

Central South Island dominates

Written by 

All finalists this year in the Lincoln University Foundation's annual competition are from the central South Island.

The foundation's South Island Farmer of the year completion for 2012 has attracted entries ranging from a large multi-farm dairying company to specialists in agricultural feed crops and a high country merino station.

The finalists all comprise farms from the central South Island. They are:

• Andy and Kate Chapman from Methven who have transformed a traditional sheep and beef property into a modern cereal cropping and dairy support operation.

• Gavin Loxton with Sue, Rob and Anne Allan of Sawdon Station, Lake Tekapo, a dryland Merino breeding ewe property that has explored innovations in feed crop development.

• Synlait Farms Ltd, Rakaia, a large multi-farm company with some 100 shareholders with a focus on efficient and sustainable pastoral systems.

• Deane and Joanne Taylor from Ashburton who run a specialist mixed arable property (supplemented by dairy grazing, store lambs and breeding ewes) where there has been strong development and innovation in the use of irrigation technology to increase farm production.

Ben Todhunter, chair of the Lincoln University Foundation, says the finalists all met the competition's criteria for excellence in farming practice, innovation and sustainability.

"One of our criteria is that there is the potential for knowledge transfer so that other farmers can benefit from the innovation and knowledge shown, and in that regard these are all excellent finalists."

Final judging and an announcement of the winner will be at Lincoln University on November 8. All finalists will present their operation to a public audience and the judges. The finals will be followed in the evening by an awards dinner for an invited audience. The winner receives a $15,000 travel/education grant.

The aim of the Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year competition is to reward farmers whose work showcases the best of what can be achieved in farming. It is more than being a 'good farmer', it means operating in a way that shows leadership, innovation, efficiency and sustainability.

The eventual winner will have demonstrated they are in the top echelon of agricultural producers and that they have developed, or are developing, leading-edge approaches inside or beyond the farm gate that enhance farming activity.

The foundation will also assist the winner to host an agricultural field day on their property early in 2013.

"Through raising the profile of such farmers we hope others will be able to adapt these ideas so they can grow their own business and ensure New Zealand farmers remain world leaders," says Todhunter.

More like this

A glimmer of hope for NZ strong wool?

A Lincoln-based wool products company believes it offers a glimmer of hope against the increasing negativity currently saturating New Zealand’s strong wool industry.

Energy farm to trial zero carbon solutions

Lincoln University has unveiled plans for what is expected to be a globally-unique Energy Demonstration Farm to help the primary sector meet its future zero-carbon obligations.

Featured

Editorial: Will big be better?

OPINION: The shakeup to the science sector with the proposed merger of four ag related crown research institutes (CRIs) into one conglomerate has drawn little public reaction.

Co-op boosts chilled exports to China

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.

Expo set to deliver in spades

The countdown is on to be one of the most anticipated events in the sheep and beef industry, the East Coast Farming Expo.

New Summerfruit NZ CEO

Dean Smith has been in the role of CEO of Summerfruit NZ for about four months, having succeeded Kate Hellstrom at the end of September.

FE survey underway

Beef + Lamb NZ wants farmers to complete a survey that will shed light on the financial toll of facial eczema (FE) at the farm level.

National

Top dairy CEO quits

Arguably one of the country's top dairy company's chief executives, Richard Wyeth has abruptly quit Chinese owned Westland Milk Products…

DairyNZ seeks more cash

For the first time in 17 years, DairyNZ wants farmers to contribute more cash to run the industry-good organisation.

EPA's plan 'not good enough'

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is bolstering its frontline applications teams in a bid to reduce the timeframe for new…

Machinery & Products

Loosening soil without fuss

Distributed in New Zealand by Carrfields, Grange Farm Machinery is based in the Holderness region of East Yorkshire – an…

JCB unveils new models

The first of the UK’s agricultural trade shows was recently held at the NEC Centre in Birmingham.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Ruth reckons

OPINION: Ruth Richardson, architect of the 1991 ‘Mother of all Budgets’ and the economic reforms dubbed ‘Ruthanasia’, added her two…

Veg, no meat?

OPINION: Why do vegans and others opposed to eating meat try to convince others that a plant based diet is…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter