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The New Zealand Farm Environment Trust announces the Ballance Farm Environment Awards entrants in 2022 from the Bay of Plenty or East Coast regions.
Joanne van Polanen, chairperson of NZFET, stated that they had received a
This year’s awards received a wide range of “excellent” entries across the country.
“It shows farmers and growers across New Zealand are committed towards environmentally sustainable practices, despite the disruptions to their business and lives in general.
“We are thrilled that we can recognize and share their stories.”
The regional awards events that were due to begin in March have been postponed to June and July 2022, in order to ensure safety for judges and staff.
Van Polanen said, “We are determined that we run in-person functions for the entrants. But, will do this when it’s more safe.”
BFEA entry from the Bay of Plenty region includes farmers across livestock, sheep, and other agricultural sectors.
Beef, horticulture and milk.
The property was purchased by Ross, Dell, and Roger Bawden, Oceanview Orchard Ltd, 30 years ago. They have made this property a thriving, sustainable, and profitable kiwifruit plantation.
After years of sharing milk, Steve and Paula Holdem, Jeff and Glenys Holdem, purchased Holdem Farm 2017 in partnership. This was in accordance with Jeff and Glenys’ parents. They now have the vision of making their farm financially and environmentally sustainable.
John and Margaret Scrimgeour are dairy farmers and have expanded their business to include avocado and kiwifruit farms.
Whiritoa Organic orchards are home to both organic and conventional kiwifruit. Helen Scott, the orchard manager, is determined to leave the land in a better condition than it was found for future generations.
Winston Fleming, the Winston Fleming Trust, purchased this Rotorua farm in 1980 from his father and has since expanded and developed it to the 210ha it is today.
Kim Goodwin, Kawera Ltd., has been farming this semi-intensive bull farm almost 40 years. She has a great stocking policy, which is tailored to the dry, unpredictable climate.
Mark and Jane Johnson, Alcuin Station, have made many improvements to their 1500ha sheep- and cattle farm. They now have 4400 ewes, 2200 trading lambs, and just over 1800 cattle.
Glenalvon Ltd, a sheep and beef farm, has been in the family since more than 100 years. Willie Lyons will take over the reins in 2020 with the support of Tim Fairweather, the farm manager.
Cathie Forde and Tim Forde are principal businessmen at Havelock North. They finish about 210 bulls every year. They also have a small breeding farm of around 100 sheep and lambs.
Last call for NZ Certified Buildings apprentice challenge entries
NZ Certified Builders encourages carpentry apprenticeships across the country to submit their entries before the April 1 deadline for NZCB Apprentice Challenge sponsored by ITM.
The regional heats will be held on April 9th, with the winner of each competing for the title of national champion later in this year.
The competition will be held in 20 locations across New Zealand, including Tauranga Whakatane Rotorua and Taupo. It is open to all apprentices who are employed by NZCB member builder or who are enrolled in Industry Training Association Building.
All apprentices participating in regional heats will receive an ITM Prize Pack and additional prizes to the first, second, or third place winners.
Regional winners also win all-expenses paid travel to the NZCB Annual Conference and Expo, Hamilton, where they will compete in the Ken Read Memorial Trophy and other prizes worth $25,000
Nick Matthews, NZCB Industry Pathways and Apprenticeship Manager, says that after last year’s record participation, they expect another great turnout of apprentices who are ready to take on the 2022 challenge.
“NZCB members builders and apprentices have always been excited for the challenge. But we are seeing even greater interest this year because it’s such an exciting period for the industry, with record numbers of apprentices taking up their trade.”
New appointments to Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Advisory Panel
Tauranga’s Alistair Scarfe has been appointed to the Investment Advisory Panel for Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures.
SFF Futures, which receives $40 million annually from the Ministry for Primary Industries each year, supports problem-solving in New Zealand’s food & fibre industries and encourages innovation that will make a lasting and positive impact.
It offers a single gateway to apply for investment and provides grants of less than $100,000, right up to multi-million-dollar, multi-year partnerships.
The IAP is an important part of SFF Futures. It provides independent expert advice regarding both funding proposals as well as active programmes.
Steve Penno, MPI director of investment programs, stated that the new members bring more expertise in science and innovation to the panel.
“It’s important for MPI to have access to independent advice from experts from a range of disciplines and backgrounds to ensure that the projects that we fund are strong and can add enduring value to New Zealand.
“Our new members, with their vast experience and expertise, help to ask the right questions. They also provide crucial guidance.”
Tauranga’s Alistair Scarfe, who has a history of dairy farming in the Wairarapa is now director and chief technology officer at Robotics Plus.
He has developed and commercialized many world-first and internationally awarded agritech systems. He combines technology with a variety a business models to make them commercially viable. He is also a member of University of Waikato School of Engineering’s Industry Advisory Board.
The Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor appoints Scarfe and Andy Elliot as well as Mat Hocken. They join Anne-Marie Broughton, Zoe Attwood, Lucy Griffiths and Zoe Attwood as IAP chairpersons.
Barry Brook, Harry Burkhardt & outgoing chairman Steve Smith resigned from The Panel at the End of 2021 after having served for six consecutive years.
Bay of Plenty dairy award winners are announced
Scott and Rebecca O’Brien were the major winners of the 2022 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industries Awards.
The couple was announced as the winners of the region’s Share Farmers of the Year category at Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards annual dinner at Awakeri Events Centre on February 11.
Hayden Purvis, named 2022 Bay of Plenty Dairy Management of the Year, was followed by Thomas Lundman as the 2022 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of The Year.
Scott, 39 and Rebecca, 41 sharemilk 50/50 over two farms – Rory and Susan Gordon’s 260ha Galatea 650 cow property and Peter & Cathy Brown’s 100ha, 250 cow property. They were awarded $9800 and four merit prizes.
Scott grew up on a dairy farm and, when it was sold at 13 years old, he knew that the journey was not over.
“I love working alongside animals and the many tasks of being a farmer.
“We love the leadership that we provide to our staff and the lifestyle that it affords our family. The knowledge we provide the world with gives us immense satisfaction.
Hayden Purvis was the winner of the 2022 Bay of Plenty Dairy Management of the Year category.
Hayden won $7785 in prize money and two merit awards. Hayden is now Farm Manager for Peter Overdevest & Tania Akehurst, who own 148ha Galatea farm and milk 400 cows.
Hayden studied a Bachelor in Agriculture at Lincoln University before he entered the dairy industry eighteen years ago. He is now working towards his PrimaryITO Level 4.
Hayden, 28 years old, says that his wife Deborah, and their daughters Lucy, 2 and Sophie, 1 provide him with the motivation to rise in the morning, even during difficult times.
“I know that a rural education is what I want for my children, so even though it’s raining, cold, and wet outside, my family admires my willingness to be out there working on the farm for them, and us, as a family unit.”
Hayden wants his industry to be challenging and he is striving to reach his full potential. So, he will be moving to an 800-cow farm in Waikato next season. “I want to improve my staff management skills and make sure I don’t get complacent.”
Alvaro Borghi, Natalia Zefferino were the Bay of Plenty Share Farmer of Year Runners-up.
Chance and Racheal Church came in third place in the Bay of Plenty Sharefarmer Category.
Quinn Morgan is the runner up in the 2022 Bay of Plenty Dairy Management category.
Thomas Lundman is the 2022 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of The Year.
Niamh Marc was second in the Dairy Trainee category.
Keegan Blennerhassett was third in the Dairy Trainee category.
The Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards field day for winners will be held on March 29,
The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards is supported by national sponsors DeLaval and Ecolab, Federated Farmers. Fonterra, Honda. Fonterra, Honda. Fonterra, Honda. Ravensdown. Industry partners DairyNZ.