“Essentially, it’s made things a whole lot easier,” says Brendon. “The use of technology allows us to do things in a more precise way. For example, you might be spreading fertiliser on a certain area of a paddock and we can ensure we only do the specific zone that needs it.” Using GPS technology, the […]
Region: Horizons
Trust in technology reaping rewards
2020 Horizons Entrants
Here are our wonderful 2020 entrants for the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards. We congratulate them all for becoming involved in the awards programme – it’s a privilege to have learned more about their food and fibre production businesses. Tony & Lynda Gray, Kinross Partnership — Apiti Sheep, Beef & Deer Breeding This family-operated business is owned and […]
2020 Horizons Regional Supreme Winners
The property was originally established in 1978 as a lifestyle choice for Eric Clarke and his son John, however a passion was soon ignited to produce the best possible produce. In addition to now growing 23 different types of vegetable, Woodhaven grows maize and ryegrass to improve soil health and reduce nutrient losses. It annually […]
Tony & Lynda Gray – Kinross Partnership
2020 finalists: Tony & Lynda Gray of Kinross Partnership – Sheep, Beef and Deer Breeding. This family-operated sheep, beef and deer breeding operation is very much focused on maximising returns in an environmentally sustainable way. A lot of development work has been carried out since Tony and Lynda took possession in 2004, including the adoption […]
Brendon & Rachel Williams – Pencoed Trust
The couple are third generation farmers on this property that was originally bought for its excellent soils, with decision-making very much centred around caring for this precious resource. They’re highly aware of their environment, viewing it as a ‘bank’ that must be maintained and improved. The judges were impressed with Brendon’s enthusiasm for using precision […]
Mark Johnston and Rebecca Jeffery – Ruahine Range View
2020 finalists: Mark Johnston & Rebecca Jeffery of Ruahine Range View – Dairy. After three years of hard work, this couple has completely transformed their property – creating a tribute to their passion for farming and their commitment to environmental excellence. As their vision for the property takes shape, substantial improvements have been made in the […]
Chalky and Lesley Leary – Onga
2020 finalists: Chalky and Lesley Leary of Onga – sheep and cattle breeding. Owner-operators Chalky and Lesley Leary have had a stake in Onga since 1973 and have set up an innovative succession plan that integrates forestry with sheep and beef. Forestry was originally introduced to control gorse that smothered the property and now provides a […]
2019 Horizons Regional Supreme Winners
A 970ha sheep and beef farm near Weber, with more than a century of lifeblood flowing through its veins, is the 2019 Regional Supreme Winner in the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust. The Ballance Farm Environment Awards champion sustainable farming and growing through an awards programme which […]
Ian & Kylie Brown – Cheltenham Downs
Ian and Kylie Brown have big dreams and their impressive discipline is making them a reality. Their goal for their multi-faceted business Cheltenham Downs – operated as part of Pāmu, Farms of New Zealand (formerly Landcorp) – is to create a “farm of the future for people, animals and the environment”. The Browns have farmed […]
Simon & Trudy Hales – Kereru Farms
“Thrilled” is perhaps the best word to describe the understandable elation the 2019 Horizons Regional Supreme Winners – Simon and Trudy Hales – felt at their regional awards function when their names were announced. “We were among some passionate and innovative farmers, so to come away with the award was a real honour. To know […]
Sam & Philippa Trotter – Bushmere Partnership
Sam and Philippa (Pip) Trotter are living proof you can do it all. Sam manages a sheep breeding and intensive cattle grazing farm, while Philippa is a full-time pharmacy manager and mum raising their three children. Despite all of the competing priorities in their life, the Trotters continue to succeed and always hold themselves to […]
James & Virginia Kilmister – Kilmister Farms Ltd
On Kilmister Farms, a strong family philosophy has been fostered by James and Virginia (Ginny) Kilmister. The Kilmisters have generously taken this loyalty into their community, investing significant time in local clubs and committees. The Kilmisters’ roots in the area date back to 1900 when James’ great grandfather purchased the land. Today, James and Virginia […]
Michael & Tracey Collis – Brownston Company Ltd
Michael and Tracey Collis may run a dairy farm with big ambitions, but they have managed to achieve a small environmental footprint. To boot, they are in a challenging farming area. Their tenacity and their talents caught the eyes of this year’s judges who credited the couple’s willingness to adapt their farming system to outside […]
2018 Horizons Regional Supreme Winners
Sustainability equals longevity and balance across the physical environment, business and people, say Dannevirke dairy farmers Andrew Hardie and Helen Long. The couple won the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards on Thursday night (15 March) at the Silks Lounge at the Awapuni Racecourse, Palmerston North. Andrew and Helen have farmed Te Maunga since 1999 and […]
2017 Horizons Regional Supreme Winners
Pongaroa sheep and beef farmers Shaun and Tracie Baxter have won the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards. In just 14 years the Baxters have progressed from weekend farming in a partnership on a small lease block in Hawke’s Bay to running their own 1740ha breeding and finishing business south east of Dannevirke. The award judges […]
2016 Horizons Regional Supreme Winners
Nukumaru dairy farm owners David and Adrienne Hopkins and sharemilkers Ben and Belinda Price are Supreme winners of the 2016 Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Ben and Belinda are in their second season 50:50 sharemilking 680 cows on David and Adrienne’s 248ha property south of Waverley.
2015 Horizons Regional Supreme Winners
Broadlands Station, a multi-generational sheep and beef farming operation owned by the Akers family, is the Supreme Winner of the 2015 Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards. BFEA judges described the Ashhurst hill-country business as an “excellent example of multi-generational farming for environmental stability and financial success”.
2014 Horizons Regional Supreme Winners
The Justin and Mary Vennell have an unmistakable commitment to combining steadfast land stewardship with simple, successful farming on their 380ha (effective) property, half an hour north of Feilding. The award judges commended the Vennells’ approach noting a willingness to undertake environmental protection work “even when outside financial assistance was not available” and commented on […]
2013 Horizons Regional Supreme Winners
Curwen and Maija Hare possess what the award judges described as “an impressive, balanced approach” to farming their 275ha (230ha effective) Waituna West hill country property. The judges commended the couple’s use of expert knowledge to steer their business through the restraints of debt loading (a legacy of land purchase at a high in the […]
2012 Horizons Regional Supreme Winner
Rangedale, a Landcorp property in the Makuri district east of Pahiatua, was described by the judges as “an excellent example of how a large scale hill country farm can be run in conjunction with the environment”. At the helm of this 1578ha (1382ha effective) property for the past seven years, manager Paul Edwards shakes off […]