Ballance Farm Environment Awards attract a wide range of entries.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards have attracted a strong range of entrants from throughout the Canterbury farming
community for the 2011 competition.
Launched in the region seven years ago, the awards recognise farming practices that are environmentally, economically
and socially sustainable. Canterbury judging co-ordinator James Hoban is pleased with the range of entries received this
year, despite it becoming more difficult to persuade farmers to enter the awards.
“Many farmers have developed a view that publicity of any form will open them up to unwelcome attention. The reality is
though there are a large number of farms across Canterbury with impressive sustainable management practices and systems
in place which should be celebrated and shared with others,” says James Hoban.
“We have farms entered from as far North as Kaikoura and as far South as Pleasant Point. The entrants are a very good
reflection of farming in our region and cover arable, dairy and livestock farming and also horticulture.”
“The awards are about recognising good farm management. Every farm is unique so the finalists are farmers who work to
make the most of the resources available to them and who aim to ensure their business is environmentally sustainable but
also economically productive and socially responsible.”
Judges have visited properties for the preliminary judging and selected six finalists. Finalist judging will take place
in January next year with the winners announced at a special awards ceremony in Christchurch on April 1, 2010.
Principal sponsor for the national awards programme is Ballance Agri-Nutrients, with Environment Canterbury as the
regional partner. The awards are also supported by sponsors Hill Laboratories, Beef + Lamb, Massey University , LIC and
PGG Wrightson.