increase font size
South Otago farmer Hamish Bielski (pictured) won the inaugural Ballance Agri-Nutrients Emerging Talent Award last year.
Entries have opened for Beef+Lamb New Zealand's annual NZ Sheep Industry Awards.
The industry will celebrate its best and brightest at Beef +Lamb NZ's fifth annual awards in the Wairarapa in July.
The awards recognise this country's top sheep farmers, breeders, scientists and industry innovators.
People can put their name forward, or be nominated for the award categories; Science Trainer of the Year, Innovation, Significant Contribution to the New Zealand Sheep Industry and the Emerging Talent Award.
South Otago farmer Hamish Bielski won the inaugural Ballance Agri-Nutrients Emerging Talent Award last year. He hoped in receiving the award, he highlighted to other aspiring young farmers there is a pathway to farm ownership in the sheep sector.
Hamish and his wife Amy are now equity partners in a 300ha sheep, beef and cropping business, having worked their way through various shepherd and management roles on sheep and beef farms. Financially disciplined, the couple saved more than they spent and took investment opportunities whenever they arose.
Hamish also found time for industry involvement and is chair of B+LNZ's Southern South Island Farmer Council.
A great advocate for the sheep industry, Hamish says the Sheep Industry Awards play a crucial role in recognising good people and celebrating success.
He acknowledges that, like many industries, it is easy to focus on negative issues for which there are no easy solutions.
"The awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the significant milestones we, as an industry, have achieved.
Entries for the Sheep Industry Awards close on Friday, April 22, 2016.
Contact Lydia Baty 027 397 9615
North Canterbury pig farmer Steve Sterne has been honoured with NZ Pork's Outstanding Contribution Award, recognising his 27 years of dedication to excellence in the sector.
Recent widespread autumn rain will have triggered the germination of subterranean clover seeds, and the resulting seedlings should be allowed to reach the 3–4 trifoliate leaf stage before grazing, says Beef+Lamb NZ.
The vineyards at Pyramid Farm in Marlborough’s Avon Valley have never been run of the mill, with plantings that follow the natural contours of the land, 250 metres above sea level.
A hub farm in each of Beef + Lamb NZ’s seven regions and more focus groups are being rolled out for the red meat sector this year.
The red meat sector is poised for a strong rebound this season, with export receipts forecast to top $10 billion and farm profitability to almost double.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.
Going one better than a frustratingly close second place finish at last year's event, the country's top axeman, Jack Jordan of Taumaranui, last weekend won the Stihl Timbersports World Championship individual event in.
Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show president Brent Chamberlain says a big development for this year is the Wool Zone, first introduced two years ago as a showplace for everything produced from wool, but now greatly enlarged with its own Wool Marquee and more than 30 trade sites.
Salmonellosis is a serious disease in cattle.
Drench resistance is already hitting farm profits; it's not just a future problem.
Applications are open for Horticulture New Zealand's (HortNZ) 2026 scholarship programme, with 20 funding opportunities available.
OPINION: Your old mate hears some of the farmers involved in the Meat Industry Excellence (MIE) group ten years ago…
OPINION: The Hound reckons the recent stoush about the old Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) expanding its brief – with no…
