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 […]
Region: Horizons
Energy and optimism keeps focus on next 140 years
Pohangina Catchment Care Group
2024 Horizons Catchment Group Showcased – Pohangina Catchment Care Group Pohangina Catchment Care Group has a three-pronged approach as its members work to facilitate growth and resilience in the local community. They have their sights set on nurturing the valley’s water, people and land – and support each of these aspects in different ways. Formed […]
James & Debbie, and Dave & Jan Stewart of Stewart Dairylands
2024 Horizons Finalists: James & Debbie, and Dave & Jan Stewart of Stewart Dairylands – Dairy The family behind this Palmerston North dairy farm listen to the land, meaning its use and protection are priorities, while they still operate a profitable business. Stewart Dairylands was established in 1999, however five generations of Stewarts have farmed and […]
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 […]
Tararua Plantain Project – Catchment Group
Catchment Group Entry: Tararua Plantain Project – community focus on water quality An innovative community project highlights Tararua dairy farmers are leading the way in using plantain on farms to reduce nitrogen leaching. The DairyNZ-led Tararua Plantain Project is a five-year project with farmers and organisations working together to improve water quality. In the project, […]
Josh Millard of Tongariro Dairy Unit – Pāmu
2023 Finalists: Josh Millard of Tongariro Dairy Unit – Pāmu – Dairy This Manawatu dairy unit is approaching a major milestone, with the 2022/2023 season marking its first year of conversion since it transitioned to producing organic milk. Farm manager Josh Millard has been running Pāmu Tongariro Dairy Unit for the past four and a […]
Horizons Regional Supreme Winners 2023 Peter, John and Karen McErlean of Poplar Partnership
Regional Supreme Winners 2023: Peter, John and Karen McErlean of Poplar Partnership – Dairy and Beef Poplar Partnership Ltd is a large, self-contained dairy farm that represents a lifetime of work and dedication by owners John, Peter and Karen McErlean. John and Karen have come a long way since purchasing the initial 43ha block in […]
Graham and Tracey Sinnamon of Meringa Station – Pāmu
2023 Finalists: Graham and Tracey Sinnamon of Meringa Station – Pāmu – Sheep, Beef and Forestry Continuous improvement of both business and environment means the team at Meringa Station is operating an effective farming system that is high-performing, resilient and sustainable. The 1,904ha (1,492ha effective) hill country property has been owned by Pāmu since March […]
Jason & Amanda Prior of DownUnder Honey
2023 Finalists: Jason & Amanda Prior of DownUnder Honey – Honey and Nursery DownUnder Honey has a diversified business with a focus on sustainable beekeeping and promoting the planting of a wide range of plants that benefit pollinator insects and native birds. Since purchasing the Feilding property in 2010, Amanda and Jason Prior have created […]
Josh Millard of Pāmu Farms of New Zealand – Tongariro Dairy Unit
2022 Finalists: Josh Millard of Pāmu Farms of New Zealand – Tongariro Dairy Unit The farm manager behind this Moutoa dairy farm is embracing a commitment to guardianship and sustainability of the land and animals, including a shift toward producing organic milk. Tongariro is part of the Pāmu Farms of New Zealand suite of properties […]
Blair and Anna Robinson of Te Rohenga Farm
2022 Finalists: Blair and Anna Robinson of Te Rohenga Farm – Sheep, Beef and Deer Velvet For more than 100 years, the family behind Te Rohenga Farm has been striving to improve and evolve it, while still retaining its historic character. Purchased it in 1907, Te Rohenga Farm is now under the charge of Blair […]
George and Ellen Bartlett of Gemel Trust
2022 Finalists: George and Ellen Bartlett of Gemel Trust – Dairy, Sheep and Beef Since 2005, George and Ellen Bartlett have been on a sustainability journey at their Manawatu farm – and their efforts are paying off. Both environmental and financial sustainability has been their focus at the dairy, sheep and beef farm. They bring […]
Angela Strawbridge of Taonui – Hopkins Farming Group
2022 Finalists: Angela Strawbridge of Taonui – Hopkins Farming Group – Dairy Angela Strawbridge has been managing this Palmerston North dairy farm since 2018 and since then has improved production while setting her sights on environmental sustainability. Taonui peaks at milking 750 Friesian-Jersey-cross cows across 255ha. Since Angela took over, production has consistently climbed year-on-year […]
Horizons Catchment Group Award Winners 2022 – Upper Moawhango River Catchment Group
The Upper Moawhango Group was set up in October of 2018 and started with a farmer only meeting to gauge support from the local community. With almost 100% of farmers attending the meeting, the group then had the confidence to move forward and engage the whole community. Nearly 100% of the area is now actively […]
Horizons Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Richard and Suze Redmayne of Tunnel Hill
Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Richard and Suze Redmayne of Tunnel Hill – Sheep, Beef, Maize and Forestry Richard Redmayne has literally been born and bred at this Wanganui property and, along with his family, has continued its successful development with an eye on the future. His great grandfather Wilfrid Perry bought Tunnel Hill in 1936, […]
Dan Steele & Sandy Waters of Blue Duck Station
2022 Finalists: Dan Steele & Sandy Waters of Blue Duck Station – Sheep, Beef, Tourism, Honey and Carbon Sequestration A strong connection to nature and a desire to leave a positive legacy for their children are driving forces for the couple behind this vast Ruapehu property. Blue Duck Station features a diverse farming operation that […]
Meet the BFEA Entrants from the Horizons Region
Richard and Suze Redmayne Tunnel Hill – Sheep, beef, maize and forestry Richard’s great grandfather bought Tunnel Hill in 1936, with future generations running the farm until Richard and his wife Suze took over in 1993. Sheep, beef, maize and forestry are farmed across 950ha of the property that features large stretches of coastal land. Their investment in forestry and […]
Do right today, to benefit others tomorrow
It is also at the heart of how they run their 428ha dairy farm, Te Maunga. Flanked by the Manawatu and Mangatewainui rivers, 720 Friesian-Jersey-crosses are milked once a day here and delicious dairy-Wagyu-cross beef is bred and sold under the First Light brand. Andrew and Helen have created a model of sustainability and profitability, […]