Friday, 05 August 2022 15:55

Whisky in the jar at New Zealand's Arable Awards

Written by Staff Reporters

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Rob and Toni Auld were presented with the Innovation Award.

The Innovation title at last night’s New Zealand Arable Awards went to Southland’s Auld Farm Distillery.

The distillery, an enterprise from Rob and Toni Auld, makes a range of three gins from a base alcohol of oats, wheat, and barley.

Auld Farm Distillery has achieved multiple world firsts with their products, something not entirely uncommon for an arable sector seen as world-leading in several categories on the international seed market.

Also a winner was Federated Farmers arable executive member David Birkett who was named Arable Farmer of the Year.

Birkett, who farms at Leeston, Canterbury, was noted as a recognized leader in environmental and sustainable farming, with a focus on soil quality. He is open to trialling any approach to reduce synthetic inputs, like biological products, cover crops, retaining straw, and is always willing to share his knowledge and results.

Former Federated Farmers national vice president Karen Williams with her husband Mick received the Environment & Sustainability Award.


Karen Williams (left) and husband Mick Williams (right) were presented with the Environment & Sustainability Award.

Angela Clifford was named the 2022 Food Champion for her passionate advocacy for the arable industry. Clifford founded the organization EatNZ, which she uses to promote New Zealand-grown and produced food.

Full List of Winners

Agronomist of the Year: Roger Lasham, Ashburton
Grower of the Year – Grain: David & Anna Irving, Larnark Downs, South Canterbury
Grower of the Year – Small Seed: Hamish Marr, Methven
Grower of the Year – Maize: Chris Pellow, Chris Pellow Produce, Waikato
Emerging Talent Award: Lauren Beattie, Rakaia, South Canterbury
Environment & Sustainability Award: Karen & Mick Williams, Ahiaruhe Farm, Wairarapa
Arable Farmer of the Year: David Birkett, Birkett Farming, Leeston
Innovation Award: Rob and Toni Auld, Auld Farm Distillery, Southland
Arable Food Champion: Angela Clifford, EatNZ

More like this

Mark Hooper Joins NZPork Board as Independent Director

Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.

Farmers Warned Over Track Dangers After Wairarapa Floods

The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.

Wool Impact and Campaign for Wool NZ Merge to Form Collective

Will a stronger, more coordinated voice help rebuild confidence and improve returns in the wool sector?

NZ Pest Crisis Costs Farmers $466M a Year — Survey

New Zealand's pest problem has reached crisis point, according to Federated Farmers' second National Pests Survey, which shows farmers are spending more money and effort on control — yet pest numbers keep climbing faster than they were two years ago.

RMA Reform Still on Track Despite Wellington Drama — Feds

Despite political shenanigans in Wellington, farmers are confident that Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms will get over the line in this term of Parliament.

Featured

Editorial: Backing Dairy

OPINION: The stats speak for themselves.

DairyNZ Resilient Pastures Trial Expands Across North Island

Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.

DairyNZ Sets Out Election Priorities for Dairy Farmers

Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.

Ballance Farm Environment Awards Launch on West Coast

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.

DairyNZ's Tracy Brown Flags El Nino Risk for Dairy Farms

Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.

Mark Hooper Joins NZPork Board as Independent Director

Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.