NZ arable farmers face global profitability pressures
Profitability issues facing arable farmers are the same across the world, says New Zealand's special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr.
Under the theme 'Innovation in Farming', they stretch from Sawdon Station, a high country station using lupins as a forage crop, to the multi-farm irrigated dairy business of Synlait Farms which has a novel approach to personnel management.
Methven arable and fodder crop farmers Andy and Kate Chapman, and Ashburton specialist croppers and technology enthusiasts Deanne and Joanne Taylor make up the quartet.
Second judging visits will be made shortly, then on November 8 the finalists make a presentation about their business at Lincoln, after which a winner will be announced.
