Strong succession planning has played out as Hugh and Judy Akers hoped it would with their son Willie and his-now wife Laura Akers running Broadlands Station, a 1650ha sheep and beef farming operation in Ashhurst, Manawatū. The farm, which has been in the family since 1886, was named the Regional Supreme Winner at the 2015 […]
Industry: Beef
Energy and optimism keeps focus on next 140 years
Growing farmers for a positive future
The Regional Supreme Winners of the 2015 Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) Richard and Annabelle Subtil have always been passionate about telling the farming story. “Sometimes it feels hard to be a farmer, so it’s up to us to tell the positive stories,” says Richard. Ten years on from winning the award, the Subtils’ […]
High country farmers named 2024 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing
Hamish and Simon Guild of High Peak Station in Canterbury have been announced as the 2024 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at Claudelands in Hamilton this evening. High Peak Station has traditional farm roots, however it has diversified in recent years […]
The Miller Family of Roslyn Downs
2024 Southland Regional Supreme Winners: The Miller Family of Roslyn Downs – Dairy, Sheep and Beef Roslyn Downs is going from strength-to-strength under the guidance of the Miller family whose approach centres around teamwork, the land and business. The 1,034ha Glencoe dairy, sheep and beef operation is led by brothers Jason and Quentin Miller, along with Jason’s […]
Philip and Katherine McCallum and Briar Swanson of Rockley Farm
2024 Southland Finalists: Philip and Katherine McCallum and Briar Swanson of Rockley Farm – Sheep, Beef and Dairy Grazing The team at Rockley Farm is dedicated to continuous improvement and growth – both on-farm and in terms of their contribution to young farmers and the local community. Rockley Farm was originally owned by Kath McCallum’s parents. […]
Tracy & Steve Henderson of Legendairies
2024 Southland Finalists: Tracy & Steve Henderson of Legendairies – Dairy and Beef Located near Invercargill, this Awarua beef and dairy farm is increasing production in a sustainable way, thanks to the clear and imaginative vision of its owners. Tracy and Steve Henderson are building on their extensive dairying experience as they realise the potential of […]
Justin Pigou, Neill Casey & Matt Hamilton of Waitepeka, Pāmu Farms
2024 Otago Finalists: Justin Pigou, Neill Casey & Matt Hamilton of Waitepeka, Pāmu Farms – Dairy and Beef The team at Waitepeka Dairy Complex are consistently thinking ahead and planning for a sustainable future – adapting practices that enhance environment, animals and people. The 888ha (730 ha effective) self-contained dairy farm is owned by Pāmu […]
Lyndon & Jade McNab of Lochindorb Run
2024 Otago Finalists: Lyndon & Jade McNab of Lochindorb Run – Sheep and Beef As third–generation family farmers, Lyndon and Jade McNab run this successful sheep and beef operation in harmony with the land and its natural biodiversity. Lochindorb Run was originally bought by Lyndon’s grandfather in 1953 and was passed down to his parents who still […]
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle – Lone Star Farms
2024 Otago Regional Supreme Winners: Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle – Lone Star Farms – Sheep and Beef The team behind this sheep and cattle business doesn’t believe in maintaining the status quo – constantly changing and developing the farming system to create efficiencies. Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer have been managing The Wandle since 2020, and are focused on producing quality over quantity while caring for the land. […]
Andy and Gemma Phillips of Motumatai
2024 Greater Wellington Regional Supreme Winners: Andy and Gemma Phillips of Motumatai – Sheep and Beef Under the guidance of Andy and Gemma Phillips, Motumatai has been developed to improve the balance between livestock production and caring for the environment. The Masterton sheep and beef farm has been in Gemma’s family since 1914 and the […]
Scott & Ana Gudsell of Ngahau Trust
2024 Greater Wellington Finalists: Scott & Ana Gudsell of Ngahau Trust – Sheep and Beef The couple behind this Featherston property are future proofing it for generations to come – maintaining high production while also enhancing the natural environment. Ngahau has been in the Hume family since the 1840s, and its management was taken over […]
Jason Christensen of Fernhill
2024 Greater Wellington Finalists: Jason Christensen of Fernhill – Dairy, Sheep and Beef Since 1879, Fernhill has evolved and expanded under the guidance of the Christensen family, and today the Masterton farm remains both environmentally and economically sustainable. Jason Christensen is currently managing the farm, actively supported by his parents Henry and Dorothy, along with full-timers […]
Alastair & Ann Reeves of Reeves Farms
2024 Waikato Regional Supreme Winners: Alastair & Ann Reeves of Reeves Farms – Sheep and Beef Building on a family legacy, Alastair and Ann Reeves have developed a highly resilient farming business that is profitable while enhancing the surrounding environment. Reeves Farms has been in the family for more than 90 years, with Alastair and Ann being […]
Matt Wech and Ana Sevilla Farm of Matt Wech Family Trust
2024 Auckland Finalists: Matt Wech and Ana Sevilla Farm of Matt Wech Family Trust – Sheep and Beef The landscape at this Warkworth property has gone full circle under the guidance of this fourth-generation farmer who is working in harmony with nature. Rather than trying to make the 33ha (20ha effective) hill country property more productive, […]
Philip and Julia Leaf of Brierly Hill
2024 Northland Finalist: Philip and Julia Leaf of Brierly Hill – Beef Fifth–generation farmer Philip Leaf is constantly striving to improve Brierly Hill’s farming system – in terms of both land management and ensuring the wellbeing of stock. The 600ha (472ha effective) Matakohe property has been in Philip’s family since l862, and he has worked there […]
Dean Candy of Oromahoe Trust
2024 Northland Finalists: Dean Candy of Oromahoe Trust – Sheep and Beef Protecting and looking after the land for future generations is the underlying mission of the Trust behind this sustainable Northland beef and sheep farm. All farming decisions build on the goals of Oromahoe Trust, a collective of 1,500 shareholders who are focused on achieving more […]
Hugh and Noelene Donald of Toa Toa Farming
2024 Horizons Finalist: Hugh and Noelene Donald of Toa Toa Farming – Sheep and Beef Breeding, genetics, and animal health provide the foundation for this successful sheep and beef farm, with this supported by a strong focus on conserving the environment. Hugh and Noelene Donald are also genuinely devoted to the wellbeing of their staff, treating […]
Mark Chrystall, Richard Chrystall and Rob Collier of Spring Farms
2024 Horizons Finalists: Mark Chrystall, Richard Chrystall and Rob Collier of Spring Farms – Sheep and Beef This team approaches farming using the analogy that sustainability is a three-legged stool – if one of the financial, environmental or social legs fail, the stool falls over. Mark and Richard Chrystall, and Rob Collier represent the two families […]
Peter & Ally Apthorp, and Nathan Ebbett of Springview Agriculture
2024 Horizons Finalists: Peter & Ally Apthorp, and Nathan Ebbett of Springview Agriculture – Sheep, Beef and Crops Springview Agriculture is a great example of good neighbours becoming good friends and – ultimately – formidable business partners who are striving toward a shared vision. The Apthorp and Ebbett families were long-time neighbours before they joined forces […]
The Guild and Dunbar Families of High Peak Station
2024 Canterbury Regional Supreme Winners: The Guild and Dunbar Families of High Peak Station – Deer, Sheep, Beef, Tourism & Honey High Peak Station has traditional farm roots, however it has diversified in recent years to include a wide range of income streams enhanced with added value. This 3,760ha (3,450ha effective) property is managed by an […]