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Sterne and daughter Holly run Patoa Farms at Hawarden, New Zealand's largest pig farming operation.
He bought the land bordering the Hurunui River with co-founder Jens Ravn in 1998.
Following Jens' retirement in 2013, Steve Sterne continued to farm with a management team in place.
Patoa sows roam free range with small straw-based shelters in large paddocks for farrowing. Pigs being finished for market are housed in large eco-barns with deep litter straw.
The system, which sees the farm produce about 95,000 pigs a year, allows for the used straw bedding and manure to be recycled and used on other farms throughout the Canterbury region. Composted manure is used on the farm's cropping land or sold to other farmers.
NZ Pork chief executive Brent Kleiss said Steve Sterne's pursuit of excellence, quality, sustainability and pig welfare was second to none.
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"The award is for an individual who has made a sustained contribution to the pig industry.
"The Patoa Farms operation is the epitome of the circular economy. Steve is also passionate about the farm, contributing to the local community and encouraging and educating the next generation of skilled workers for the sector.
"Patoa employs more than 50 people, contributing around $4 million in wages to the local economy.
"It is also an approved provider of the Primary ITO New Zealand Certificate in Pork Production for levels 3 and 4."
Sterne was presented with the award at NZ Pork's annual conference in Christchurch last month.
Delegates at the conference also expressed their thanks to former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy, who last week stepped down as chair of NZ Pork, having taken on the role in 2019. A new chair will be elected later this month.
