Beef + Lamb New Zealand supports launch of Ahuwhenua Trophy competition

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is a proud supporter of the 2011 BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Award, the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition, which launched at the recent FOMA (Federation of Maori Authorities) conference.

Chief Executive, Dr Scott Champion says Beef + Lamb New Zealand sponsors the competition to highlight successful farming approaches in terms of governance, financing and management to the wider Maori farming community and those servicing the farming community.

“Our support of this event provides opportunities to highlight the tools and services that Beef + Lamb New Zealand has to develop a growing sheep and beef industry, providing sustainable returns for future generations. Sheep and beef farming has long been a major use of Maori land and Maori farmers are key players in helping to shape the future of the sector. Supporting this competition is a ‘classic’ industry good activity that is very much part of our mandate.

“We consulted widely before re-establishing this competition back in 2003 and we believe it is playing a role in the increasing performance of Maori farms.”

Dr Champion says some great examples of leadership and excellence have emerged from the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition.

“We have had some great winners who are proving to be highly innovative and entrepreneurial. Judges described the previous winner Whangara Farms as representing true leadership, vision and hard work and noted that its impressive financial performance placed the property in the top 10 per cent for its farm class.

“The public field days hosted by each regional winner are an outstanding opportunity to share best-practice knowledge and showcase excellence in sustainable economic and environmental management, and the use of research and application of new technologies by Maori farmers.”

Two Beef + Lamb New Zealand representatives will be sharing their expertise as part of the competition’s judging panel.

Previous winner Whangara Farms Chair, Ingrid Collins says the incorporation received robust, objective and honest feedback from the judges and was able to implement changes that improved its performance.

ENDS

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