Riverton farmers strike a balance
Riverton sheep and beef farmers Geordie and Frances Eade were crowned the regional winners of Southland’s Ballance Farm Environment Awards last night.
The competition, which is run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, celebrates sustainable farming and growing practices.
The Eades were commended for striking a balance between productivity and environmental stewardship on their farm.
In a statement, the judges said the development of the farm, Granity Downs, was guided by ‘‘bigpicture thinking’’ that balanced business risk with sustainability.
‘‘The natural beauty of Granity Downs is being carefully nurtured, including the protection of large blocks of native vegetation,’’ the statement said.
The Eades were applauded for demonstrating environmental leadership by learning and showcasing good practices.
The strong focus on stock and plant health on their high-output farm is supported by a Farm Focus Plan and Farm Environment Plan.
Between eight and 10 soil tests are carried out every year, guiding careful fertiliser management.
The farm also took home the Beef and Lamb NZ Livestock Farm
Award, the Hill Laboratories AgriScience Award and the Environment Southland Water Quality and Biodiversity Award.
The Eades are in the running for the national Gordon Stephenson Trophy, which will be announced later in the year.
Other winners last night included Chris and Desiree Giles from Waimumu Downs, Robert and Cate Willis from Bobcat Dairy, and Andrew and Vanessa Wilkinson from Calsi Farms. The Gileses won the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award, the DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award, and the Norwood AgriBusiness Management Award for their commitment to biodiversity and their community.
Bobcat Dairy won the Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, the WaterForce Wise with Water Award, and the regional The Plant Store Planting and Design Award for the Willises’ focus on reducing the farm’s long-term environmental footprint.
The Wilkinsons won the Massey University Innovation Award and the Synlait Climate Stewardship Award for successfully balancing environmental achievements with profitability.
The awards were announced during a video livestream on the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust YouTube channel last night.