Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Phillip and Jocelyn Everest, Paul Everest and Sarah Hayman of Flemington Farm – Dairy and Beef

The Everests have spent the past 30 years developing a sustainable dairy and beef farm that balances the needs of people, animals, economics and the environment.

Since 1989, they’ve expanded the Ashburton property to the 255ha effective farm it is today – and in the process have achieved a lifelong goal.

They entered the Ballance Farm Environment Awards because they have learned a lot from their peers over the years and want to do the same for others, while receiving constructive feedback on their business.

In 2010, they developed the property into a dairy farm and currently milk 750 cows on a predominantly pasture-based system.

When they established the 225ha milking platform in 2010, the best technology of the day was incorporated, and considered both labour and the environment. The goal was to have one person in the shed each milking, minimise water use and treat effluent as a fertiliser.

Their ‘give-it-a-go’ attitude has resulted in the implementation of new strategies to successfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Nitrogen loss. Another focus has been to create a good working and home environment for their employees, resulting in a stable workforce that enjoys training and development opportunities.

Environmental sustainability is at the core of how this family runs their business. Among a raft of other initiatives, the Everests have established more than 20km of shelter and riparian plantings – creating a comfortable environment for their animals and enhancing the property’s beauty.

Monitoring is an integral part of their business across all aspects but especially on their environmental impact. This also includes monitoring of tiles and all their streams on a regular basis.

Connecting with the local community is important to the Everests and they are involved in several catchment and district initiatives that are largely focused on improving the environment.

The Everests continue to trial and monitor new technologies as they continue to develop a farm that is environmentally sound while also being profitable and beautiful.

As well as receiving this year’s Regional Supreme Award, Phillip, Jocelyn, Paul and Sarah also received:

Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award
Hill Laboratories Agri-Science Award
Norwood Agri-Business Management Award
Synlait Climate Stewardship Award
Environment Canterbury Water Quality Award