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 praised the couple’s progress noting their ability to capitalise on expansion opportunities. They commended Shaun and Tracie, who operate under the business name Agri Enterprises Limited, on a property where “all facets of sustainability” could be seen.

The Baxters bought what is now their home farm, Wairakau, in 2002 with their lease partners Gerard and Shiree Hickey holding a share for an agreed period.  The home farm, which was the primary subject of judging for these awards, is 700ha effective and winters 5700 stock units with a sheep to cattle ratio of 70:30.