Entries close soon for 2015 Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Media Release
19 September 2014

Entries close soon for the 2015 Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Entries close on 1 October to be considered for an award at the 2015 Canterbury Region Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA).

Entry forms for the 2015 competition are available from the NZFE website at www.bfea.org.nz.

The Awards, which have been running in the region for 12 years, celebrate responsible land stewardship and sustainable farm management.

Jocelyn Muller said the Awards are going from strength - to - strength in Canterbury.

“Since 2002 the Canterbury Regional awards have involved more than 200 entrants, 80 trained judges, as well as 11 Supreme and around 60 category award winners.

“This year our regional winners Mark and Devon Slee went on to win the coveted national Gordon Stephenson Trophy making it two years in a row for the Ashburton district after Methven farmers Craige and Roz Mackenzie won the award last year.

“We’d love to make it three in a row to show how Canterbury farmers are taking the lead in sustainable farming and are serious about contributing to the region’s environmental, social, and economic wellbeing – so get your entries in,” she said.

Jocelyn Muller said the awards recognise and celebrate that good practice on-farm management is beneficial to the business as well as the environment.

She said entrants have the opportunity to have their farms assessed by a team of skilled judges, all with expertise in their particular area.

“Many farmers believe the judging process itself makes entering the awards a worthwhile experience. Farmers can discuss their ideas and business practices with the team of highly experienced and knowledgeable judges.

“It also provides an opportunity for farmers to benchmark the sustainability of their farm practices and see where they can make improvements,” she said.

The nation-wide awards are run across ten regions by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFE). A National Award, the Gordon Stephenson Memorial Trophy, is chosen from the regional winners.

The period for entering the Canterbury awards is open until 1 October 2014, with the awards evening to be held in late March 2015.

The award categories for 2015 are:
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Award
Hill Laboratories Harvest Award
LIC Dairy Farm Award
Massey University Innovation Award
PGG Wrightson Land and Life Award
WaterForce Integrated Management Award
Donaghys Farm Stewardship Award
Environment Canterbury Water Quality Award

For award category information visit: http://www.nzfeatrust.org.nz/award_categories.

Visit http://www.nzfeatrust.org.nz or http://www.bfea.org.nz for further details on the awards and the award categories.

The website also includes information about past-winners, representing a range of farming sectors, including details of their farm management practices.

ENDS

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