Rewarding farmers who embrace sustainability
Winners of DairyNZ’s Sustainability and Stewardship awards in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards have their eyes firmly fixed on progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy.
Entering the Ballance Farm Environment Awards was a great learning and development experience, say Keitai farmers Gay Pembroke and Mark Corby.
“The past 12 months have been great fun. It was a wonderful experience. Entering the awards and being involved in the process has given us a lot more confidence that what we are doing is on track,” Pembroke says.
They have owned their 102ha dairy support/beef block at Kaitaia for three years. Neither is from a farming background and they say the change they made from 4ha to 102ha was exciting but massive.
They enjoyed networking at the Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards dinner and the comments and feedback they got from the judges.
“The feedback they gave is fabulous, very encouraging and there is a lot of valuable information in the report – great ideas and great concepts. We often refer to it and have shared it with others.”
While the couple did not make it through to the second round of judging they say they have no regrets.
“We were not finalists, but that did not dishearten or embarrass us,” Pembroke adds. “We definitely recognised the calibre of the finalists and the regional winners. We also acknowledge the time and effort contributed by the organisers, sponsors and judges.”
Entering again is a possibility for the couple. “We will definitely contemplate it. We have more capital development to do and we want to finish some of the items mentioned in the feedback report,” Corby says.
“We would strongly recommend and encourage others to enter. Do not wait until you think your farm is where you want it to be; enter and learn as a work in progress.”
He says a lot of the locals had been telling the couple they were doing a great job.
“But we were also looking for reassurance from professional people advising us we are on the right track.”
National judging co-ordinator Andrea Hanna says judging teams have a wide range of skills and look at all parts of the farming business. Judging is relaxed and friendly and climatic factors are considered.
“In the past, we’ve found farmers can be reluctant to enter if their farm or orchard has been affected by wet weather or drought,” Hanna says. “But the judges know severe climate events are part of farming and growing and will look beyond this at the wider picture.”
Anyone may nominate a farmer or grower, provided the nominee agrees. Entries are now open.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.