Beef + Lamb New Zealand Award Winners 2024

The Ballance Agri-Nutrients Science and Research Award winner: Dr David Hume

AgResearch Plant Scientist Dr David Hume was instrumental in the development and commercialisation of the novel endophyte AR37. Over a 20-year period, this endophyte has contributed an estimated $3.6 billion to the New Zealand economy.

The judges described David’s work as being world-leading and of immense benefit to New Zealand’s pastoral farming industry. They said his robust and complex science, years of commitment, leadership and focus on commercialisation to benefit the farmer and grow export value had contributed massively to this country’s primary sector.

David’s continued research in this field, including the breakthrough science with cereal endophytes, highlights his on-going commitment to New Zealand’s agricultural industry.

Finalists: Andy Dumbleton and Anne Ridler

Datamars Livestock Technology Award winner: FarmIQ Freshwater Farm Plan Tool

This practical user-friendly tool was designed to guide farmers through the steps of a Freshwater Farm Plan. Built on existing mapping capabilities, the tool enables collaboration with rural professionals by providing a central place for data to be stored, accessed and shared.

The judges described FarmIQ’s Freshwater Farm Planning Tool as being a great asset to the farmers’ toolbox. It takes a step-by-step approach to identifying the most productive and vulnerable parts of the farm landscape. This enabled targeted management and provided clear evidence of land stewardship to underpin farmer stories.

They added that FarmIQ’s Freshwater Farm Plan tool was a great tool to help farmers with compliance requirements and improve efficiencies within their businesses.

Finalists: Halter and Zoetis Shepherd

Silver Fern Farms Market Leader Award winner: Headwaters

Since its launch in 2007, Headwaters has worked towards building a supply chain model that generates greater value for farmers.

Over 75 farmers have embraced the Headwaters system where the potential of the Headwaters genetics is realised by chicory and red clover finishing forages.

Chefs value the consistency of the Headwaters product, and through its joint venture with Alliance, the company sells into the high-value food service sector.

The judges described Headwaters as being a fine example of farmers working together to add value by improving their product. This has been done through the incorporation of genetics, feeding, finishing and processor input. They said Headwaters had led from the front in obtaining premiums in the marketplace. They had created a plan and proved they could execute it at scale.

Finalists: Conscious Valley, Ongaha

The Alliance Significant Contribution Award winner: Ian McIvor

Ian McIvor has built a research and extension career helping farmers understand the value of trees for land stabilisation, shade, shelter, fodder, timber and aesthetic value.

Working with Plant & Food Research, Ian researched the value of poplar and willow trees in particular for soil stabilisation and erosion control on pastoral hill slopes.

Devastating storms such as Cyclone Gabielle highlighted the benefits of using poplar and willow trees to protect pastoral hill country. Ian’s huge body of work over the past 25 years has had a significant impact on hill country farming throughout New Zealand.

The judges said that Ian’s science and research had contributed to farm production and resilience, particularly in the sheep and beef sector. As one of the founders of soil conservation work in New Zealand, Ian’s work had touched sheep and beef farming operations throughout the country.

Finalists: Bryan Hocken MNZM, Rod Slater

The FMG Rural Champion Award winner: The New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Through its flagship event, the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA), the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFET) promotes and champions farming practices that are environmentally, financially and socially sustainable.

Running across 11 regions, BFEA gave farmers the opportunity to showcase and benchmark their operations and tell their story to the wider public.

This is done through channels including field days, videos, print media, radio, social media and, more recently, the Ballance Farm Environment Awards partnered with TVNZ’s New Zealand Food Story to showcase farmers and growers.

Judges said that NZFET was a pan-industry organisation that had massive reach and media coverage. It brought regulators and farmers together to celebrate the work farmers were doing to protect their natural resources while running productive and profitable businesses.

Finalists: Harriet Bremner-Pinckney, Royalburn Station Ltd

The Gallagher Innovative Farming Award winner: Fernglen Farm

The incorporation of a 1300-strong milking ewe mob into their existing Wairarapa sheep and beef operation has brought all five members of the Ravenwood family into their Fernglen Farm business.

Having recognised that milk was the most valuable product from a ewe, the family built a dedicated sheep milking shed and imported European semen to improve the genetics and productivity of their dairy sheep herd.

The family is now the biggest producer of sheep milk and associated products for the domestic market.

Lambs born in the farm’s dairy unit are weaned at 40-45 days and finished on high quality forages.

The Award judges described Fernglen Farm as being a shining example of innovative farming in New Zealand. They said the Ravenwood family have combined courage with science and talent to develop a new business and diversify within Fernglen Farm.

Finalists: FE Gold, Motumatai Pastoral Ltd

The Rabobank People and Development Award winner: Growing Future Farmers

The farmer-led programme is addressing serious labour shortages in the red meat sector by providing young people with a career pathway in New Zealand’s agricultural sector.

Aimed at entry-level students, mainly school leavers, Growing Future Farmers incorporates a hybrid training model co-designed by farmers and industry specialists.

Students live, learn and train onfarm for two years and during that time complete a number of qualifications.

Their training includes technical skill days, online tutorials, onfarm practical training and life skills. Students are mentored by staff onfarm and pastoral care and support is provided by Growing Future Farmers Student Success Advisors.

AgResearch Emerging Achiever Award winner: Mitchel Hoare

With the ultimate goal of farm ownership, Mitchel Hoare leases two properties, does casual work, runs a contract sheep dipping service, a native plant nursery and supports his wife Charlotte’s cut flower business.

Mitchel is also on his local hall committee, is a keen dog trialler and secretary of the Te Kuiti Collie Club. Most importantly, he is a father to the couple’s one-year-old daughter.

His achievements in the sector so far include winning the World Young Shepherds competition in France, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Young Farmer of the Year competition and various academic and practical ability prizes at both Waipaoa Station Cadetship and Lincoln University.

The Award judges said Mitchel was actively working towards farm ownership with many irons in the fire to make it happen. They described Mitchel as being very motivated and innovative. He demonstrated experience and achievements within the sheep and beef sector as well as strong community involvement. He had successfully progressed through the industry and was having a positive impact through influence and leadership.

Finalists: Lana Chrystal, Martin Reisima

The judges said Growing Future Farmers was a well-structured programme that had grown significantly and was turning out great cadets. It offered both on and off-farm development opportunities for cadets.

Finalists: Hereheretau Station, Lone Star Farms

The Beef + Lamb New Zealand Regional Leadership Award winner: Graeme Gleeson

Graeme Gleeson was recognised by Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Mid Northern North Island Farmer Council for his exceptional commitment to the region’s farming industry through his farmer advocacy and involvement in industry-good activities. He has been particularly focused on helping farmers remain productive and profitable while understanding and mitigating their environmental impacts.

As a farmer advocate and leading campaigner for the group Farmers for Positive Change, Graeme has worked to ensure regional and national government policies are fair, equitable, and based on science. He has earned the respect of farmers and politicians through his involvement in the development of Waikato-Waipa Plan Change I and in national Essential Freshwater discussions.

He had been instrumental in starting up catchment groups and encouraging people to think about the issues specific to their catchments rather than taking a blanket approach to environmental and resource management.

Graeme’s work goes beyond just fulfilling duties. He genuinely cares for the well-being and future of sheep and beef farmers and their communities.

Learn more about the 2024 B+LNZ Awards at beeflambnz.com/awards