Canterbury-based dairy enterprise Synlait Farms clinched the Lincoln University Foundation's South Island Farmer of the Year competition for 2012 last night (Thursday, November 8).
Judges said Synlait's entry was as a prime example of New Zealand's leadership role in innovative and entrepreneurial agricultural practice.
Chief Judge Bob Simpson said all four finalists demonstrated leadership, excellence and innovation.
"Any of the finalists could have won this award tonight," Simpson said. "But in the finish it was Synlait's blend of family-based traditional farming practices with the very best of modern corporate innovation and management systems that saw this multi-farm company stand out. Synlait's approach to its people, its stock and its land can be held up as an example of what can be achieved when good leadership and good people go hand-in-hand."
Juliet Maclean CEO of Synlait Farms welcomed the win on behalf of her team.
"In an owner-operated business, at the end of the day what you've achieved can be measured by your own efforts," she said.
"But at the end of a Synlait day our success is measured by our large team of people. The three Synlait founders, John Penno, Ben Dingle and myself come from farming families, and really that's how we work at Synlait too, it's just that our Synlait Farms family is a lot bigger."
Ashburton farmers Deane and Joanne Taylor, who run a specialist mixed arable property supplemented by dairy grazing, store lambs and breeding ewes, supplemented by a spraying business and publishing Latitude magazine, were runners up and winners of the best presentation of the night at the finals held at Lincoln University.
The other finalists were Gavin Loxton with Sue Allan from Sawdon Station near Lake Tekapo, and Andy and Kate Chapman from upper Rakaia Gorge.
"Judging between a corporate entry like Synlait Farms and family-owned farms proved a challenge," said Ben Todhunter, chair of the Lincoln University Foundation and one of the judges. "Synlait's win tonight was a close-run thing. All of the entries displayed true leadership, excellence of practice and innovation of the sort that put New Zealand on the global map as an international leader in agricultural practice."
Winners receive a $15,000 travel award to study farming practice overseas, and are assisted to host a field day on their property to profile their business.
Popular Reads
A significant fertiliser breakthrough?
Former ACT MP and Federated Farmers president Owen Jennings believes he's come across a new fertilising method in Australia that…Waikato cattle farmers fined $23,000
A Waikato cattle farming family have been fined $23,000 for failing to provide sufficient food and care for their animals,…Farmers oppose work visa changes
Farmers are crying foul over changes announced by the Government this week to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.No easy ride for struggling sheep farmers
Stubbornly high farm input costs, a slow Chinese recovery and a flood of Australian lamb onto the global market are…Milk price certainty
Westland Milk has reaffirmed its commitment to pay farmer suppliers 10c above Fonterra farm gate milk price for the following…Featured
Feds claiming 'some real success' on policy front
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Feds back Fast-Track Approval Bill
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
Lamb returns forecast to remain low
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
First harvest of table grapes - the 'king of fruit'
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
Machinery builder in liquidation
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
Two hemispheres tied together through cows
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.