Family takes supreme gong at farm environment awards
A family of entrepreneurial dairy farmers have won the regional supreme award at the Horizons Farm Environment Awards.
James and Debbie Stewart, and James’ parents Dave and Jan are the driving force behind Stewart Dairylands in Hiwinui, near Palmerston North, one of three companies in the Stewart Group.
Their farm is the dairy division, with 800 cows on about 580 hectares.
Stewart Dairylands was established in 1999, however five generations of Stewarts have farmed and expanded the legacy business that started in 1886.
Guided by a strong sense of family history, the Stewarts saw the land as a precious commodity and focused on creating sustainable systems to leave the land in better shape for the next generation.
Exploring diversification was part of their business strategy, working in dairy beef, and supplying milk for both boutique cheese and ice cream.
They also offered farm tours. Native plantings enhanced the natural environment, including the development of native corridors with walkways and a wetland area, which are shared with visitors and the wider community.
The judges were impressed with wellplanned infrastructure developments, including a new dairy shed with solar panels and a modern effluent system with a separator.
They noted the Stewarts continuously sought improvement and innovation in stock management, infrastructure and technology.
The family was commended for being highly engaged in the wider farming industry, and being proactive approach to solving problems.
The judges made the observation that on many properties landowners were meeting high standards; but on this property the Stewarts worked to exceed and lead industry standards.
Succession planning and governance in their business and farm were important and they had adopted a long-term approach, looking ahead for the next 100 years.
James, Debbie, Dave and Jan Stewart also won the people in primary sector award, the sustainability and stewardship award, the agri-business management award, the biodiversity award, the innovation award, the climate recognition award, and the Margaret Matthews Trophy for commitment to sustainability.
Mark Chrystall, Richard Chrystall and Rob Collier of Spring Farms, Moawhango won the livestock farm award and the agri-science award.
Hugh and Noelene Donald from Toa Toa Farming, Kakatahi won the award for the integration of trees.
Peter and Ally Apthorp, and Nathan Ebbett of Springview Agriculture, Mangahao and Makomako won the soil management award and farming efficiency award.
The awards were at Awapuni Racecourse on Thursday night.
The awards were run by the NZ Farm Environment Trust and champion sustainable farming and growing.
The Supreme winner from each of the 11 regions would be considered for the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the trust’s national showcase in Hamilton in June.
The trophy winners would become national ambassadors for sustainable farming and growing.