Editorial: Sense at last
OPINION: For the first time in many years, a commonsense approach is emerging to balance environmental issues with the need for the nation's primary producers to be able to operate effectively.
MARK AND Devon Slee, national winners of the 2014 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, will make outstanding ambassadors for New Zealand agriculture, says Federated Farmers president Bruce Wills.
Wills, a first-time judge on New Zealand Farm Environment Trust's National Winner judging panel, says while all 10 supreme winners vying for the award were great farming leaders, the Slees showed they had the exceptional communication skills required to champion NZ farming to a national and international audience.
He says their Canterbury business, Melrose Dairy, is an outstanding example of a high performing, sustainable dairy operation.
The Slees are achieving excellent production and outstanding profitability while remaining steadfastly committed to minimising their operation's impacts on the environment, he says.
"Mark and Devon run a large-scale intensive dairy farming business on some of the lighter soils in Canterbury and this type of operation has been at the forefront of the debate on the effects of dairying on the environment. But the Slees have shown great initiative and dedication when it comes to reducing their environmental footprint, and they are excellent role models for other farmers to follow."
Wills says the Slees were early converters to dairying in the region and among the first dairy farmers to adopt pivot irrigation to improve water utilisation.
Simon Saunders, acting chair of the New Zealand Farm Environment (NZFE) Trust and chair of the National Winner judging panel, says the Slees performed superbly during their interview with the judges.
"They proved they have a very good understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand agriculture."
He says the Slees also demonstrated excellent communication skills and team work.
"They are a highly motivated and skilled couple, yet very down to earth and humble. They absolutely deserved to win this competition and they will make excellent ambassadors for the dairy industry and for New Zealand agriculture in general."
Saunders says the judging panel, which also included Jamie Strang, Warwick Catto, Paul Lamont and Charmaine O'Shea, was "blown away" by the calibre of all the regional winners.
"They are all great leaders and they should be very proud of what they have achieved. Listening to these people talk about their farming operations with such passion and enthusiasm gives me great confidence for the future of New Zealand agriculture."
Wills, who is soon to step down as president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, says judging the competition was an inspiring experience.
"I found it a huge privilege to be able to sit down with ten of New Zealand's best farmers and hear them talk about their focus and commitment towards running a sustainable business. It's clear that farmers have got the message about environmental sustainability. Change is underway and a new age is coming."
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Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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