Intensive land use can also be sustainable land use say Criage and Roz Mackenzie, a progressive couple who are clearly comfortable with any scrutiny of farming practices on their mid-Canterbury properties.

The award judges were impressed, writing in their feedback report: “They operate an extremely intensive irrigated arable operation in the Methven district utilising state of the art technology to maximise production in a sustainable manner. The Mackenzies have taken technology to the next step by using every available tool to improve their production and cost efficiency.”