fbpx
Print this page
Monday, 17 June 2013 15:44

MPI congratulates top ag communicator

Written by 

The Ministry for Primary Industries congratulates Marlborough dryland farmer Doug Avery, who has been named the 2013 Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year.

Doug's Grassmere property Bonaveree was the focus of a project co-funded by MPI's Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) from 2005 to 2008.
The project's aim was to develop land management practices for farming dryland in Southern Marlborough. It was run by the Starborough Flaxbourne Soil Conservation Group.

"Since the success of the SFF project Doug has been a skilful, passionate and generous advocate for dryland farming techniques, which include a lucerne-based grazing system," says MPI's deputy director general Scott Gallacher.

The focus of the work was Marlborough, but Doug has taken the learning's well beyond that. "This kind of expertise is important for New Zealand farming to ensure it is resilient in the face of climatic extremes," Gallacher says.

What Gallacher has achieved helping other farmers across New Zealand and Australia become more resilient and productive, shows how the SFF can be a catalyst for improving sustainable practice within the primary industries.

Gallacher was presented with the trophy at an event in Hamilton on Thursday (June 12), organised by the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators.

The SFF project Gallacher was involved with was, "Changing attitudes and practice for farming dry land in Marlborough", 05/132, run by the Starborough and Flaxbourne Soil Conservation Group from 2005 to 2008, with $197,000 of SFF funding for a project worth $401,500 in total.

More like this

Featured

Jack Jordan takes Stihl Timbersports gold for NZ

Going one better than a frustratingly close second place finish at last year's event, the country's top axeman, Jack Jordan of Taumaranui, last weekend won the Stihl Timbersports World Championship individual event in.

Canterbury A&P Show expands with new Wool Zone

Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show president Brent Chamberlain says a big development for this year is the Wool Zone, first introduced two years ago as a showplace for everything produced from wool, but now greatly enlarged with its own Wool Marquee and more than 30 trade sites.

Expo scales to new heights

Engaging, thought provoking speakers, relevant seminars and relatable topics alongside innovative produces and services are the order of the day at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.

National

Machinery & Products