Entries For Environmental Awards Draw To A Close

Entries For Environmental Awards Draw To A Close

Entries for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards have closed in some regions but farmers in the Horizons, Northland, Southland and Otago areas still have time to enter the prestigious event.

Northland BFEA entries close on December 8 and Otago entries close on December 15. Entries for the Horizons region close on December 22 but Southlanders have until January 15 to get their entries in.

Entries in the Waikato, Wellington, Bay of Plenty and Canterbury regions are closed.

David Natzke, General Manager of The New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, says BFEA regional coordinators around the country report “a very high calibre of entries” so far.

“Its been a tough year for farmers, with some areas being hit by snowstorms and flooding in winter while others have had to contend with unusually dry spring conditions.

“Some farmers might be reluctant to enter the Awards this year because they are worried about the state of their farms, but they shouldn’t let this put them off. Their local judges know what they have been through and they will be taking the climatic conditions into account during the judging process.”

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards recognise farmers who are using farm management practices that are both economically and environmentally sustainable.

Along with Ballance Agri-Nutrients, other sponsors include PPCS, LIC, Gallagher Group, Hill Laboratories and PGG Wrightson.

The Awards are also backed by Environment Waikato, Environment Bay of Plenty, the Greater Wellington Regional Council, Horizons Regional Council, Environment Canterbury, Otago Regional Council and the Northland Regional Council.

Mr Natzke says farmers who are contemplating entering the Awards should contact their local BFEA regional coordinator, or their regional council. Information is also available on the www.ballance.co.nz website.

Supreme winners from each region will be honoured at a National Showcase event next year.

ENDS

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