For example, she feeds her 800 calves using a system of pumps, pipes and feeding stations – avoiding the need to lift heavy buckets and bags. She uses compartment feeders until weaning to ensure no calf misses out on the correct amount of milk, plus has designed a special meal feeder that enables her to […]
Region: Otago
Efficiency and support networks two keys to success
2020 Otago Entrants
Here are our wonderful 2020 entrants for the Otago 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. Cath & Peter Bloxham, Broadridge Farms — Milton Sheep & beef Since Broadridge Farms was established, Cath and Peter have […]
Sandra and Chris Campbell – Oakwood Hills
2020 finalists: Sandra & Chris Campbell of Oakwood Hills – Dairy. Caring for the environment comes first as this couple strives to enhance the land and stock at their dairy farm. The result is quality pasture, healthy animals and excellent water enhancement as the Campbells work towards full ownership of Oakwood Hills. Sandra and Chris entered […]
Sam and Liz Barton – Montana Pastoral
The couple bought into the equity partnership with Phil and Jenny McGimpsey in 2015 and now farm just over 4,000 sheep and 100 beef on the property. Their business goals are clear: to produce to a very high standard while minimising environmental impact. Equally important is achieving a work-life balance, so there’s a big focus […]
2020 Otago Regional Supreme Winners
Over the past two years, Anna and Ben have diversified into beef finishing to complement the original dairy grazing business on the 360ha effective farm. Around 700 weaned dairy calves arrive in December. These calves are carried through two winters and returned to the owner, in-calf, 15 months later. They also finish about 500 beef cattle […]
Joanna and Simon Davies – Toko
2020 finalists: Joanna & Simon Davies of Toko – Sheep & beef breeding & finishing. This family farm’s success is built on a foundation of teamwork – reflected in the financial, strategic and environmental progress the Davies have made since taking over. Their passion for the environment is evident in both the property’s presentation and […]
Angela Scott and Grant Williams – Pendella Farm
2020 finalists: Angela Scott & Grant Williams of Pendella Farm – Sheep & beef. The epic landscape of Central Otago’s Maniototo has been the backdrop for this family farming business for 93 years, with Angela Scott now at the helm. This proud, third-generation farmer is focused on authentically restoring the natural environment while continuing to […]
2019 Otago Regional Supreme Winners
Rocks Station, owned and operated by passionate sheep and beef farmers Andrew and Lynnore Templeton, was announced the Regional Supreme Winner at this evening’s 2019 Otago 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 sees one […]
Stephen & Annabel Crawford – Crawford Family Ltd
The Crawford family is running a farming business that any farmer in New Zealand would be proud to own. Recognised and celebrated as “thought leaders” by the Ballance Farm Environment Award judges, the pair runs an extensive organically certified milking operation with 900 dairy cows. Their land boundaries both the Clutha and Pomahaka Rivers in […]
Tony & Sarah Homer – Linlithgow Farm
The Homers have youth and heritage on their side. Having recently negotiated a successful family succession – completed in less than 10 years – the couple’s well rounded sheep, beef, forestry and tourism business has a bright future. The judges were impressed by the couple’s ability to give significant energy to each of their farming […]
Mathew & Catherine Korteweg – Leneva Farm Ltd
When it comes to their efficient dairy farming business, Mathew and Catherine Korteweg live and breathe their value set – tidiness, wellbeing, relationships, professionalism and development. The latter is a particularly strong focus for the Kortewegs who prioritise a high level of engagement with staff, recognising their individuality and helping them to realise their potential. […]
Tim & Kirsten OSullivan – Sustainable Prospects Ltd
Finetuning their farming operation is a key focus for Tim and Kirsten O’Sullivan who are committed to future-proofing the business for generations to come. The couple works with a dedicated and experienced team on their multi-faceted business made up of irrigated and dryland blocks. The irrigated block, Lone Pine, supports grass and crops that are […]
Andrew & Lynnore Templeton – The Rocks Station
The Rocks Station, owned and operated by Andrew and Lynnore Templeton, has a goal of being a world-class farming business. The Templetons entered the 2019 Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards to help them improve their environmental focus and to apply expert advice to their farming systems. Walking away with the Regional Supreme Award was a […]
2018 Otago Regional Supreme Winners
A love of family, farming and the land has seen the successful succession of Waipahi sheep farm from Ross and Alexa Wallace to their son Logan… and also helped the family win the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Their win was announced at a dinner at the Lake Wanaka Centre, Wanaka, on Thursday night (April […]
2017 Otago Regional Supreme Winners
Simon and Kirstin Engelbrecht’s 7500 stock unit East Otago sheep and beef business is based on their 611ha home farm, Stoneburn, near Palmerston. This winter Simon is planning on running 3700 coopdale ewes, 1200 hoggets, 1430 fattening lambs, 120 breeding heifers and cows, 176 R2 fattening cattle and rams and bulls for breeding. However, a […]
2016 Otago Regional Supreme Winners
Portobello sheep and beef farmers Brendon and Paula Cross have been named Supreme winners of the 2016 Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Brendon and Paula farm 200ha Roselle Farm and 618ha of leased land on the Otago Peninsula. Their breeding operation runs 4900 stock units on 613ha effective, with sheep making up 95% of the […]
2015 Otago Regional Supreme Winners
Dave and Janene Divers have run family-owned Table Hill for four years. Dave’s parents Lindsay and Jill purchased the farm in 2000, adding more land in 2007 and 2012. The breeding and finishing operation now winters around 10,800 stock units on 1000ha effective, with sheep making up more than 80% of these stock units. Divers […]
2014 Otago Regional Supreme Winners
Wayne McIntosh has been managing his family’s summerfruit orchard near Alexandra for 10 years. This is, according to the award judges, “a business at the forefront of its industry”. The undulating 64ha Earnscleugh property, which currently has about 34,000 trees producing cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, apples and a range of trial fruits, has been in […]
2013 Otago Regional Supreme Winners
Mitchell Webster’s intensive cropping operation and wholesale business producing bird and small animal feed is based on the Mitchell family’s historic ‘Rosedale’ farm at Weston, but covers 1380ha of arable land in North Otago. It is, according to the award judges, “a credit to the Mitchell and Webster families, an extraordinary and inspirational family business […]
2012 Otago Regional Supreme Winners
Blair and Jane are fine examples of that old adage, “do something you love and you’ll do it well”. The couple have been together at the helm of three North Otago properties, totalling 1530ha, for the past four years and they are clearly relishing the life. The award judges described them “an incredibly enthusiastic young […]