increase font size
Simon Saunders, chairman of New Zealand Farm Environment (NZFE) Trust.
With the agricultural sector facing many challenges, the relevance of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) could not be greater, says organiser Simon Saunders.
Saunders, chairman of New Zealand Farm Environment (NZFE) Trust, says challenges facing the sector include issues surrounding water quality and nutrient loss.
Therefore, the relevance of the NZFE Trust and the BFEA could not be greater, he says.
"It's critical that the farmer's voice is heard. The BFEA programme is continually doing this through entrants and award-winning farmers showcasing what they are achieving, sharing the knowledge ideas and skills that will drive better environmental, economic and social outcomes for New Zealand's most important sector."
According to the NZFE Trust's annual report, released this week, it celebrated another successful year.
The organisation has continued to grow through 2015, with another region- Auckland- signing up.
"We are delighted to have the Auckland region in the Awards for the 2016 programme," says Saunders.
"Having Auckland on board is a huge step towards being able to offer a complete national programme. We are almost there."
NZFE Trust also formalised a long standing partnership between Environment Southland and the BFEA. Saunders says the Trust is looking forward to developing this partnership further "to not only benefit the continued success of the BFEA in Southland, but all agriculture in Southland".
Nationally, the BFEA programme continues to draw accolades and capture strong media interest. Farmer attendance at BFEA field days across the country was outstanding, and these field days and other NZFE Trust events "keep delivering the very important messages on what New Zealand farmers are achieving".
Thirty years ago, as a young sharemilker, former Waikato farmer Snow Chubb realised he was bucking a trend when he started planting trees to provide shade for his cows, but he knew the animals would appreciate what he was doing.
OPINION: As an on-farm judge for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for many years, I’ve witnessed first-hand how dramatically New Zealand agriculture and horticulture has transformed over the past three decades.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
‘Just take the plunge’ - that’s the message from Hamish and Simon Guild of High Peak Station, Canterbury to anyone considering entering the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
James and Debbie Stewart of Dairylands in the Manawatū are no strangers to taking home the silverware.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) today announced that Chief Executive Officer Sirma Karapeeva has resigned from the role.
The winners of the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards were announced at the annual awards dinner held at Copthorne Solway Park in Masterton on Thursday evening.
Environment Southland is welcoming this week’s decision by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the release of Blaptea elguetai, a leaf‑feeding beetle that will help control the highly invasive Chilean flame creeper.
This March, the potato industry is proudly celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March alongside the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the vital role women play across every part of the sector — from paddocks and packhouses to research, leadership, and innovation.
Fruit trader Seeka posted a record profit and returns to shareholders in 2025.
Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly reckons rural Manawatu families are the latest to suffer under what he calls the…
OPINION: If old Winston Peters thinks building trade relations with new nations, such as India, isn't a necessary investment in…
