Finalists for environmental awards

‘‘They are also facing heightened community expectations about what they can and can't do.’’

Judging of the four finalists for the Farm Environment Awards for Waikato will begin in early February.

This year’s finalists are a mix of drystock and dairy farmers ranging from as far south as Piopio, the Hauraki Plains and east to Karapiro and Matamata.

Waikato Farm Environment Awards judging co-ordinator David Kilbride said the competition was tight among 10 entries overall this year.

He said it had been a challenge getting farmers to enter this year’s awards. Many farmers were reeling from the tough, wet spring or recovering from consecutive seasons of low payout and felt their farm businesses were not well positioned for contesting the awards.

The New Zealand Farm Environment Trust’s new general manager James Ryan said farmers were smart and creative business managers dealing with a range of climatic and financial variables.

‘‘They are also facing heightened community expectations about what they can and can’t do on their farms and orchards. Yet, despite all these challenges, they carry on their business with humility and good humour.’’

The finalists for the Waikato Farm Environment Awards are:

Bob and Val Rigter, Rukuhia Farm Ltd, dairy farmers at Rukuhia, on the outskirts of Hamilton.

John and Judy, Shaun and Kate Carter, Carter Farming Partnership, Piopio drystock farmers.

Peter and Karen West, Hauraki Plains dairy farmers.

Charlie and Helen Lea, Ratanui Partnership, sheep and beef farmers between Karapiro and Matamata. The supreme winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Don Rowlands Centre on March 23. That winner will host a public field day on their farm on a date yet to be determined.