2024 Otago Catchment Group Showcase: Otago South River Care Inc This catchment group is focused on connecting with local communities, empowering them to protect and enhance water quality for both current and future generations. Otago South River Care is a collective of seven catchment groups in Otago’s Clutha District. It covers an area of 364,000ha which […]
Region: Otago
Otago South River Care Inc
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 […]
Dave Sutton, Nick Hunter & Mark Naismith of Te Kano – Northburn Vineyard
2024 Otago Finalists: Dave Sutton, Nick Hunter & Mark Naismith of Te Kano – Northburn Vineyard – Viticulture The owners and managers of this Central Otago vineyard are guided by a strong vision that places equal importance on life, land and legacy. Owned by Keith and Rhonda Lloyd, Northburn is one of four Te Kano vineyards […]
Tim Paulin Farm of 3 Kings Cherries
2024 Otago Finalists: Tim Paulin Farm of 3 Kings Cherries – Horticulture The success of this orchard is largely due to the long-term relationships the business is built on, plus growing cherry trees that perform to their best. Tim Paulin is a third-generation orchardist whose family has been growing fruit in Central Otago for more […]
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 […]
Mike Casey and Euan White of Forest Lodge Orchard
2024 Otago Finalists: Mike Casey and Euan White of Forest Lodge Orchard – Horticulture Technology and sustainability are the hallmarks of this Cromwell orchard that has grown its harvest exponentially since being developed from bare ground in 2019. Forest Lodge Orchard is a 6ha cherry production business that has planted a whopping 1,650 trees per hectare […]
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. […]
Young Otago sheep and beef farmers named 2023 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing
Steven and Kellie Nichol of Auldamor in Otago have been announced as the 2023 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington this evening. Managed by Grant Bezett, Auldamor is primarily a sheep breeding and finishing operation, with […]
James Edgar and Ethan Wilson of Wilden View
2023 Finalists: James Edgar and Ethan Wilson of Wilden View – Sheep & Beef, Forestry, Deer An impressive transformation has taken place at these West Otago farms, resulting in a dramatic increase in stock numbers while preserving the area’s iconic tussock. James Edgar operates two farms under the business name of Wilden View, guided by […]
Justin Pigou and Matt Hamilton of Landsdown Dairy Unit – Pāmu
2023 Finalists: Justin Pigou and Matt Hamilton of Landsdown Dairy Unit – Pāmu – Dairy Careful strategic planning that balances productivity, profitability and the environment means that Landsdown Dairy Unit is a well-run farm that will be sustainable into the future. Part of Pāmu, Landsdown is a spring calving operation that winters about 680 cows […]
Otago Regional Supreme Winners 2023 Steven and Kellie Nichol of Auldamor Ltd
Regional Supreme Winners 2023: Steven and Kellie Nichol of Auldamor Ltd – Sheep and Beef The owners of Auldamor, Steven and Kellie Nichol, are evolving their farming business though diversification and adapting production systems, all while considering environmental impact. The 1,498ha property is located at Clarks Junction, Otago. The Nichol family has been farming in […]
Otago Catchment Community – Catchment Group
2023 Catchment Group: Otago Catchment Community In just two years, the Otago Catchment Community has established a robust support network that is helping to build environmental resilience across the region. Formed in response to the need for local organisational support, the OCC works to enable a collaborative network of catchment groups and provide support for […]
Tim & Anna and Brent & Bridget Craig of Bowalley Free Range
2022 Finalist: Tim & Anna and Brent & Bridget Craig of Bowalley Free Range – Poultry and Arable Production is cracking along at this North Otago free range chicken farm as the family behind it takes a sustainable, circular approach to egg production. Brent Craig is the third generation of his family to own and […]
Victor and Amy Blaikie of Ben Annand
2022 Finalist: Victor and Amy Blaikie of Ben Annand – Sheep, Beef and Wool Over the past 60 years, Ben Annand has been transformed from a bare property where all work was completed on horseback to a farm that boasts impressive modern infrastructure. Amy and Victor Blaikie are now at the helm of this 1,500ha […]
Amanda Currie and Jason Sutherland of Tinwald Farm
2022 Finalist: Amanda Currie and Jason Sutherland of Tinwald Farm – Sheep, Beef and Viticulture A willingness to try new ideas has transformed this Cromwell property from a conventional sheep and beef farm to the highly diverse business it is today. Amanda and Adrian Currie purchased Tinwald Farm in 2012, immediately investing in irrigation, fencing […]
Otago Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Byron Vollweiler and Amanda Snow of Berriedale Farm
Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Byron Vollweiler and Amanda Snow of Berriedale Farm – Lamb, Lumber and Carbon This family farm is an excellent example of how pastoral farming can be integrated with forestry production, resulting in a balanced, sustainable and profitable business. The Vollweiler family has owned Berriedale Farm since 1953, during which time it […]
Otago Catchment Group Award Winners 2022 – WAI Wānaka
WAI Wānaka was built on collaboration through the merging of three aligned organisations in 2018: Lake Wānaka Trust, The Upper Clutha Water Group and a group looking to establish an Alpine Lakes Research and Education Centre. Their mission is “Healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing for future generations.” The mission is delivered by working together and […]
Meet the BFEA Entrants from the Otago Region
Victor and Amy Blaikie Ben Annand – Sheep, Beef and Wool Amy and Victor are now at the helm of this property that has been farmed by Victor’s family since 1960. Sheep and beef are grazed across about two-thirds of Ben Annand, with the rest in native bush and exotic trees. In 2021, just over […]
What are they up to now? Brendon and Paula Cross – Roselle Farm
Being awarded the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) 2016 Otago Regional Supreme Winners title has led to an ongoing association with the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust for both Brendon and Paula Cross. As well as meeting wonderful people and making some great friends along the way, it is the positivity around the awards and […]
A clear vision to challenge the square
This challenging landscape has also forged the Templeton’s farming ethos – one recognised with the 2019 Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards Regional Supreme Award. While both hail from farming families – Lynnore just down the road in Middlemarch and Andrew in Tarras a few hours away, they didn’t farm straight away after completing degrees at […]