Six Mid Canterbury farmers showcasing farming practices ranging from environmental action to innovation experimenting have been named finalists in the Federated Farmers 2024 Arable Awards.
Mark Shera, of Parkfields Farm, Ashburton, is a finalist in the Maize Grower of the Year; John McCaw of McCaw Farming Ltd, Methven; and Tim and James Robinson, of Robinson Farming Partnership, Methven (Seed Grower of the Year); Angus McKenzie, of Wairuna Farm Ltd, Ashburton (Positive Environmental Impact Award); Brent Austin, of Austin Farming Ltd, Ashburton (Innovation Award); and Liquid Injection Arable Growth Group, Ashburton (Working Together Award).
Feds arable chair and event spokesperson David Birkett said the awards were about celebrating all the good in the arable sector – the innovation, commitment and achievements among the best.
‘‘It hasn’t been an easy season for arable farmers, with rising costs and variable returns, so it’s great to see a strong crop of highcalibre award entries this year.’’
Birkett said the positive environmental impact award and innovation award were particularly significant.
‘‘They’re all people helping us to create a stronger and more sustainable arable sector,’’ he said, of the two categories.
Angus McKenzie was one such finalist who judges described as an articulate advocate for showing that environmental action on a farm doesn’t have to be a financial drain. McKenzie is up against Feilding’s Tim Gorton and Waikato’s Daniel Finlayson.
Brent Austin, is up against Anna Gillum and Dr Soonie Chng as innovation award finalists.
Austin, who farms near Ashburton and is involved with three Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) Grower Leading Change groups, often hosts onfarm demonstrations.
He’s been a leader in experimenting with nitrogenfixing faba beans to see how much nitrogen these provide following cereal crops.
Three finalists have been selected in each of the seed, maize and wheat grower of the year categories.
The winner of one of those titles will also be named as arable grower of the year, sponsored by Federated Farmers.
Agronomist of the Year finalists include Nicola Pace, of RAGT New Zealand, who among other achievements was involved with the Mount Hutt College agricultural programme, mentoring young people keen to get into the sector.
FAR general manager business operations Ivan Lawrie, who convened the judging panels, said a core ethos of the foundation was co-operation and striving together for excellence.
‘‘That ethos is highlighted by the three working together award finalists,’’ he said.
Finalists in that category included the Liquid Injection Arable Growth Group, which has shared knowledge gained on biological products and nonstandard seed treatments.
Lawrie said there was an elevated awareness of environmental impacts shown by finalists across all award categories.
‘‘Managing that impact has been paramount to everyone – and that’s really encouraging,’’ he said.
The awards evening is on August 15 at the Airforce Museum of NZ, Wigram, Christchurch.
