Farm Environment Awards attract wide range

Media Release – November 26, 2009.
 

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 2010 competition.

Launched in the region six years ago, the awards recognise farming practices that are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.  Canterbury judging co-ordinator Ross Hayes 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 new regulatory inspections. This is not the case, and is unfortunate, because there are a very large number of farms across Canterbury with impressive sustainable management practices and systems in place which should be celebrated and shared with others,” says Ross Hayes.

“We have 14 farms entered ranging from Cheviot, Ashburton, Geraldine, Culverden and Omarama; four from North Canterbury, six from Central Canterbury and four from the South.  The entrants are a very good reflection of farming in our region.”

Ten livestock farms, two arable and two dairy farms have entered for the awards. Judges will visit properties for the preliminary judging prior to Christmas to fit in with farming schedules. Final judging will commence throughout January and February 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, Massey University, LIC and PGG Wrightson.

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