Diverse range of finalists in Southland Ballance Awards
Four farming operations have been named as finalists in the 2019 Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
They are Waimumu farmers Duncan and Kerralie Falconer, Tokanui farmer Michael Bashford, Glenham farmers Dean and Sarah Rabbidge and Te Anau farm managers Travis Leslie and Catriona Cunningham.
The Falconers farm 5500 Waiwere and Texel Suffolk sheep and 125 rising one-year heifers on their 591 hectare property at Waimumu.
Cattle are finished before two years of age which means they only have to TB test every two years because of herd rotation.
They grow winter crops of swedes, choumoullier and fodder beet and make around 450 bales of baleage for the sheep.
The Falconers show huge pride and passion for their property and development methods on the property have been adapted to meet environmental pressures.
Michael Bashford farms 2500 romney ewes, 620 hoggets and about 20 beef steers on his 528ha farm at Tokanui.
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