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Opunake dairy farmers Kenneth and Rachel Short say entering the awards was a great challenge for them.
Entering the Taranaki Ballance Farm Environment Awards was a great challenge for Opunake dairy farmers Kenneth and Rachel Short.
The equity partners and sharemilkers milk 443 cows on 180ha and are now converting to a fully organic operation.
They first entered the awards in 2014 and were happy to win a category award. They entered again this year and won three categories, including the CB Norwood Ltd Agri-Business Management Award, which recognises farmers’ management practices aimed at operating a successful farm business.
The judges praised the Shorts’ excellent use of agri-business professionals and their knowledge of business management and strategy.
Rachel Short says good business management is important to them.
“We are always trying to fine-tune our system. And with the payout at the current level, it’s even more crucial to constantly review what is happening inside the farm gate.”
Their entry in the awards contest was important to their planning, she says. “It made us sit down together and look hard at what we had done and what we are trying to achieve.”
The judges had a broad range of experience and expertise, and the judging was relaxed and friendly.
“I used to get nervous about these things, but the judges are normal everyday people there to help you.
“It was worthwhile having the judges come onto the farm and give us an outside perspective on our business. Some of their ideas were useful and we enjoyed their feedback.”
The Shorts are now changing their farm system to meet requirements of organic certification. “We’ve had to look hard at our fertiliser policy and how we manage weeds.”
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
Halter has announced the six winners of its 2026 One Year Free competition, marking the biggest year yet for the annual award and the first time the company has expanded the field beyond its usual line-up.
With entries now open for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, organisers have launched a campaign to bust some of the biggest myths they think might be preventing farmers and growers from putting themselves forward.
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