increase font size
Nominations have opened for the 2022 New Zealand Arable Awards.
New Zealand’s arable industry is on the hunt for its ‘tall poppies’ – not to chop them down but to celebrate their achievements and to inspire others.
“We’re a sector that generates $800 million of sales a year, $260m of that in exports, and we’re determined to better highlight to fellow New Zealanders the role we play,” says Federated Farmers arable industry chairperson Colin Hurst.
Federated Farmers, the Foundation for Arable Research, United Wheatgrowers and the Grain & Seed Trade Association are working together to make the 2022 New Zealand Arable Awards a showcase of the sector’s people and products, recognising, celebrating and rewarding excellence.
“Our industry involves more than $2 billion in annual direct and indirect spending and 11,310 full-time equivalent jobs,” Hurst says.
“Not only are we world leaders in seed production – 60% of the world’s radish seed, 50% of white clover seed and 40% of global carrot seed, for example – the maize, feed and grass seed we grow is crucial for the New Zealand dairy and meat producers who drive the lion’s share of our export receipts.”
Hurst says New Zealand-grown wheat for bread products has assumed more importance due to supply chain disruption and the war in Ukraine.
The growing diversity and impact of the arable industry is reflected in the fact that the 2022 awards have been expanded to eight categories, Foundation for Arable Research chief executive Alison Stewart says.
"As well as recognising top maize, cereal and seed growers and a standout agronomist, there are awards for Emerging Talent, Environment & Sustainability, Innovation and an ‘Arable Food Champion’ award open to both growers and those innovators who turn our seeds and grains into end products that consumers want to snap up," she says.
An overall winner will be chosen from the eight category winners.
“We’re building this event up to be a ‘must attend’ on the arable sector calendar,” Stewart says, “It’s time the arable industry stood up and told the rest of New Zealand just how good we are!”
The awards event will take place at Te Pai, Christchurch on 4 August.
Nominations are open at www.arableawards.co.nz .
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
Farmers have been airing their concerns to the Government over changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme.
Southland farmers are welcoming moves by the Government to repeal intensive winter grazing rules.
A new report shows farm employers across the dairy, sheep and beef, and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff.
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
Animal rights organization, SAFE says the government needs to maintain the ban on live exports.
New findings from not-for-profit food supply and distribution organization, the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) have revealed a 42% increase in demand for food support in 2023 compared to 2022.
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.
