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’ […]
Region: Canterbury
Growing farmers for a positive future
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 […]
John Wright & Richard Green of Wainono Dairy
2024 Canterbury Finalist: John Wright & Richard Green of Wainono Dairy – Dairy & Dairy Support The number of cows has doubled at Wainono Dairy since it was converted in 2006, with this growth balanced against a strong focus on enhancing the environment. The Fairlie farm is comprised of a 730ha dairy platform and 640ha dairy […]
Sam & Jo Spencer-Bower of Claxby Estate
2024 Canterbury Finalists: Sam & Jo Spencer-Bower of Claxby Estate – Dairy Farming efficiently, with an increasingly light environmental footprint, is a key driver behind this 920ha farm that has been in the Spencer-Bower family since 1852. Located in North Canterbury, Claxby Estate was converted to dairy in 2012 and today is comprised of two dairy […]
The Ridge Family of Ridge Greenfields
2024 Canterbury Finalists: The Ridge Family of Ridge Greenfields – Arable, Seed Potatoes, Lamb Trading The family behind this fourth-generation farm is improving production while enhancing the environment, thanks to a sharp attention to detail, and data-based decisions. Peter, Ian, Brian, Matthew and Brent Ridge are carrying on a family legacy that is sustainable, personally fulfilling, […]
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 […]
Andrew & Peter Gilchrist of Gilchrist Brothers
2024 Canterbury Finalists: Andrew & Peter Gilchrist of Gilchrist Brothers – Mixed Cropping, Dairy Support & Contracting A diversity of income streams is driving success for the Gilchrist brothers, largely due to a focus on people and the continued fine-tuning of the business. In 2005, Andrew and Peter Gilchrist bought a one-man spraying business and, today, […]
Gavin and Kylie Bay of Bluff Farm
2024 Canterbury Finalists: Gavin and Kylie Bay of Bluff Farm – Dairy Simplicity is the key to success at this family–owned dairy farm which boasts lush pastures, healthy animals and a thriving natural environment – all with very few inputs. Gavin and Kylie Bay have been involved with Bluff Farm for 14 years, and farming it […]
Jim Burrows and Kim Marshall of Glenlake Farm
2023 Finalists: Jim Burrows and Kim Marshall of Glenlake Farm – Sheep and Beef Jim Burrows and Kim Marshall bring different skill sets to the table at Glenlake Farm, leaning into their strengths to constantly improve their farming operation. Since 2018, they have expanded the Waipara sheep and beef farm so it now spans 840ha […]
Canterbury Regional Supreme Winner 2023: Ian Knowles of Glenmark Springs
Regional Supreme Winner 2023: Ian Knowles of Glenmark Springs – Sheep and Dairy Support This Waipara farm is a great example of continually gathering data and information about the property and implementing strategies, practices, pasture, and livestock to fit the business. Ian Knowles is gradually purchasing Glenmark Springs from Ian’s family trust, aiming to strike […]
Rod & Catherine Lamb of Lamb Dairy Ltd
2023 Finalists: Rod & Catherine Lamb of Lamb Dairy Ltd – Dairy Rod and Catherine Lamb achieved a 30-year goal when they purchased LB Dairies, and through the process they also created a destination for family and friends alike. The Kaikoura dairy farm spans 125 ha (105 ha effective), with the couple taking a low-cost […]
Alistair and Genna Bird of The Grange
2023 Finalists: Alistair and Genna Bird of The Grange – Sheep and Beef The Grange is built on a foundation of five different income streams, blended by an approach that successfully balances the farm’s environmental and financial aspects. Since 2014, Alistair and Genna Bird have been in charge of The Grange – a North Canterbury […]
From scorched earth to award-winning – the Everests & Flemington Farm
Taking scorched earth and turning it into an award-winning farm hasn’t been easy, but for Ashburton’s Everest family the journey has been immensely rewarding. Moving onto the property in 1989, Phillip and Jocelyn took immediate action. With only 100 metres of trees and bare, flat land in every direction the couple began to plant trees […]
Ashburton Family win National Ambassador title in New Zealand Farm Environment Trust awards
Ashburton father and son, Phillip and Paul Everest, supported by partners Jocelyn and Sarah Hayman respectively, are the new National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing and the recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy. The announcement was made tonight at the National Sustainability Showcase at Te Pae in Christchurch. The event was attended by all […]
Matt & Claire Smith (Managers) with Boyd Macdonald (GM Lone Star Farms) of Caberfeidh
2022 Finalists: Matt & Claire Smith (Managers) with Boyd Macdonald (GM Lone Star Farms) of Caberfeidh – Sheep and Beef At 5,300ha and located in South Canterbury’s stunning Hakataramea Valley, Caberfeidh is a highly productive sheep and beef farm guided by an environmental compass. While environmental factors are always integral to decision making, managers Matt […]
Jo & Lachie McKenzie of Table Top Station
2022 Finalists: Jo & Lachie McKenzie of Table Top Station – Sheep and Beef Wool is definitely cool at this large South Canterbury high country station which has been in the McKenzie family for 130 years and counting. Located near Kurow in the Hakataramea Valley, the 2,500ha farm is vast and challenging. Since 1892, the […]
Geoff and Rochelle Spark of Torlesse Farm
2022 Finalists: Geoff and Rochelle Spark of Torlesse Farm – Dairy or Beef People are at the heart of this North Canterbury dairy and beef farm that regularly opens its gates to the community, using their irrigation lake as a venue to connect the urban and rural communities. Torlesse Farm runs about 1,700 dairy cows […]
Canterbury Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Phillip and Jocelyn Everest, Paul Everest and Sarah Hayman of Flemington Farm
Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Phillip and Jocelyn Everest, Paul Everest and Sarah Hayman of Flemington Farm – Dairy and Beef The Everests have spent the past 30 years developing a sustainable dairy and beef farm that balances the needs of people, animals, economics and the environment. Since 1989, they’ve expanded the Ashburton property to the […]
Meet the BFEA Entrants from the Canterbury Region
Phillip and Jocelyn Everest, Paul Everest and Sarah Hayman Flemington Farm, Dairy and beef production Since 1989, the Everests have expanded this Ashburton property to the 255ha effective farm it is today, developing a sustainable dairy and beef farm that balances the needs of people, animals, economics and the environment. In 2010, they developed the property into a dairy farm and currently […]
A healthy environment – essential for family and growing great produce
They’re standing here with Robin’s father Graeme, who still lives on the original Oakley family farm of over 100 years near the Waimakariri River in Halkett. Also pictured is their daughter April. She’s just started in the business, so Robin and Shirleen’s fingers are well crossed that she’ll become the sixth generation Oakley on the […]