Winners announced at inaugural B+LNZ Awards

Andrew Morrison, chairman of B+LNZ, reflected on the achievements of the sector in his speech at last night’s awards dinner.

“Environmentally, our sheep and beef production systems are amongst the most sustainable in the world with around 24% of New Zealand’s native vegetation flourishing on our sheep and beef farms, and one of the world’s lowest carbon footprints,” Morrison said.

Winners included a scientist, a Canterbury-based calf rearing business, and a Rural Support Trust.

The Balance Agri-Nutrients Science and Research Award was presented to Lincoln University’s Dryland Pastures Research Group which has been providing science that underpins the agronomic guidance provided to transform sheep and beef farms on hill country.

Farmax was awarded the Datamars Livestock Technology Award. The Farmax tool is designed to help balance financial, environmental and production goals.

Canterbury-based calf rearing business Maatua Hou was given the Gallagher Innovative Farming Award. Maatua Hou owns a 34ha drystock block at Burnham and set up what is described as an alternative calf-rearing model where the supplier cashflows calf-rearing costs and profits are shared.

Coastal Lamb Ltd was named the winner of the Silver Fern Farms Market Leader Award. Owners Richard and Suze Redmayne, launched the brand in 2010 in an effort to build the connection between his family and lamb consumers.

The AgResearch Emerging Achiever Award was won by Cambridge-based Estee Browne. Estee is the breeding programme manager for Browne Pastoral Enterprise’s sheep milking unit. Browne oversees the selection of genetics and replacement ewes for the company’s 1,400 ewe dairy unit and rears 2,400-plus lambs to weaning.

The Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT), a charitable trust dedicated to empowering women to accelerate progress and change in rural communities, was awarded the Rabobank People and Development Award.

Tairāwhiti-based agribusiness professional Sandra Matthews won the FMG Rural Champion Award. Matthews worked to set up Farming Women Tairāwhiti (FWT) which offers women support, connectivity and opportunities. Matthews stepped back from FWT last year and has since taken on several national governance and consulting roles and has focused on her business coaching business.

David Stevens was the recipient of the Alliance Significant Contribution Award. Stevens, an AgResearch scientist, has had a 37-year career, performing agronomic trials and farm systems work.

The B+LNZ Regional Leadership Award went to the East Coast Rural Support Trust, represented by Hawke’s Bay farmers Mark Barham and Jane Tylee and Wairarapa-based former farmer and Anglican priest Steven Thomson. The judges commented that these three Rural Support Trust members in particular had carried out outstanding work in the region, particularly during and after the drought.