Blair and Jane Smith - Federated Farmers
Blair and Jane Smith - Federated Farmers
Blair and Jane Smith - Federated Farmers
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2012 OTAGO<br />
<strong>Blair</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jane</strong> <strong>Smith</strong><br />
‘Newhaven Farms Ltd’<br />
SUPREME AWARD WINNERS<br />
ALSO WINNERS OF:<br />
BALLANCE AGRI-NUTRIENTS: NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AWARD<br />
PGG WRIGHTSON LAND AND LIFE AWARD<br />
OTAGO REGIONAL COUNCIL SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AWARD<br />
MASSEY UNIVERSITY DISCOVERY AWARD<br />
<strong>Blair</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jane</strong> are fine examples of that old adage,<br />
“do something you love <strong>and</strong> you’ll do it well”.<br />
The couple have been together at the helm of three North<br />
Otago properties, totalling 1530ha, for the past four years <strong>and</strong><br />
they are clearly relishing the life. The award judges described<br />
them “an incredibly enthusiastic young couple early in their<br />
farming careers with an enviable pride <strong>and</strong> passion for their<br />
business <strong>and</strong> environment”.<br />
The <strong>Smith</strong>s themselves explain they view the term ‘environment’<br />
broadly, “not purely in the sense of physical resources but the<br />
team that we build around us along with the community that<br />
we participate in”.<br />
Together, they farm 9500 su of sheep <strong>and</strong> beef. Home base is<br />
‘Newhaven’, in the Five Forks district west of Oamaru, a 230ha<br />
Perendale stud established by <strong>Jane</strong>’s parents David <strong>and</strong> Robyn<br />
Ruddenklau in 1972. Also in the Ruddenklau holding is a 200ha<br />
property at Danseys Pass, 15 kms further inl<strong>and</strong>. <strong>Blair</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jane</strong><br />
moved from Southl<strong>and</strong> in 2008 when, with David <strong>and</strong> Robyn,<br />
they purchased the 1100ha ‘<strong>Blair</strong>gowrie’ run, five kilometres<br />
southwest of Newhaven.<br />
The three properties are operated together. The work is<br />
undertaken by <strong>Blair</strong>, <strong>Jane</strong>, David, main man James Blanchard (who<br />
lives on the Danseys Pass farm) <strong>and</strong>, sometimes, students<br />
Ballance Farm Environment Awards National Sponsors Regional Partner
<strong>Blair</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jane</strong> <strong>Smith</strong><br />
‘Newhaven Farms Ltd’<br />
SUPREME AWARD WINNERS (continued)<br />
or young people “keen to learn”. Formal monthly management<br />
meetings are held with <strong>Blair</strong>, <strong>Jane</strong>, David <strong>and</strong> any required<br />
professionals.<br />
The couple, described by the judges as “a great partnership”,<br />
have three children; baby George, Henry (3) <strong>and</strong> Charlotte<br />
(5). They met in Southl<strong>and</strong>, in the course of their work, <strong>and</strong><br />
laughingly admit that initially, getting the job done outweighed<br />
any personal attraction. In fact, <strong>Blair</strong>’s position at the time as<br />
dispatch manager for rural transport company Ryal Bush, <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Jane</strong>’s as a key account manager for Ravensdown – intent on<br />
ensuring her clients’ fertiliser got to the right place at the right<br />
time – saw them on “opposing sides” at times, they recall with<br />
grins. “We’re both pretty focused <strong>and</strong> strong willed.”<br />
Now though this couple are demonstrably travelling in the<br />
JUDGES’ COMMENTS<br />
same direction. Commented the judges; “<strong>Blair</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jane</strong> have<br />
clear, concise <strong>and</strong> targeted outcomes for the next 12 months,<br />
two years, five years <strong>and</strong> 10 years”. Southl<strong>and</strong>er <strong>Blair</strong> went<br />
shearing for two years when he left school. He continued to<br />
do so on his days off during his five years working in logistics<br />
for Blue Sky Meats, all the while running sheep on up to eight<br />
leased small blocks around Invercargill. “In the back of my mind<br />
I always wanted to go farming,” <strong>Blair</strong> recalls.<br />
Next, he got the dispatcher role at Ryal Bush Transport “despite<br />
not ever having driven a heavy truck in my life”. After four<br />
years with Ryal Bush, <strong>Blair</strong>’s capacity to think on his feet, absorb<br />
pressure <strong>and</strong> achieve was noted <strong>and</strong> repaid with an opportunity<br />
to become shareholding manager in Heenans Transport. <strong>Blair</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Jane</strong>, who was working for Ravensdown after graduating<br />
from Lincoln with a B Com Ag, were married in 2005, the year<br />
after <strong>Blair</strong> began at Heenans.<br />
Rare time off during those four years in charge at Heenans was<br />
often spent up at Newhaven, the couple enjoying helping out<br />
<strong>Jane</strong>’s parents <strong>and</strong> finding themselves increasingly interested in<br />
the stud sheep genetics. The fork in the road came for them<br />
when they were given what they consider another pivotal<br />
opportunity – to sell their shareholding in Heenans <strong>and</strong> buy<br />
<strong>Blair</strong>gowrie.<br />
Long-term owners at <strong>Blair</strong>gowrie Bruce <strong>and</strong> Fay McNab had,<br />
after careful consideration, decided <strong>Blair</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jane</strong> were the<br />
chosen purchasers of their beloved property, beginning a close<br />
relationship the couple clearly value. “When we first went up<br />
there to look at the property it was almost like an interview,”<br />
says <strong>Blair</strong>. “We really appreciated that they wanted to sell<br />
to someone who had a shared passion for farming <strong>and</strong> the<br />
community. When you shook Bruce’s h<strong>and</strong> you knew that was<br />
deal done, in a traditional, genuine way.”<br />
•<br />
Impressive formal business structure; value <strong>and</strong> get the best from people in business; growth structured allowing for succession.<br />
•<br />
Strong links with external advice networks; extraordinary commitment to industry <strong>and</strong> community organisations.<br />
•<br />
Excellent relationship with employees, 2IC James Blanchard involved in management; enduring relationship with Bruce McNab.<br />
Excellent knowledge of nutrient status <strong>and</strong> characteristics of soil types; management responses to minimise nutrient loss to water.
They frequently see Bruce, he comes out to his old farm every<br />
week or so to go horseriding <strong>and</strong> is always available to offer<br />
advice, answer questions or help with stock movement. <strong>Blair</strong><br />
also seeks advice <strong>and</strong> insight from his father-in-law David. “He<br />
farmed for 35 years so you know you’re getting that experience<br />
when you are asking him questions.”<br />
The <strong>Smith</strong>s say they have learnt their biggest challenge is variable<br />
growth. “In any given year you can get 60-80 per cent of your<br />
growth in the space of six to eight weeks, “ says <strong>Jane</strong>. “This is<br />
vastly different to Southl<strong>and</strong>, so you’ve got to have that inbuilt<br />
flexibility. It’s about catching that growth <strong>and</strong> making quick yet<br />
strategic decisions.”<br />
Last year they wintered 2700 breeding ewes (including 2000<br />
Perendale studs), 900 stud ewe hoggets, 650 stud ram hoggets,<br />
30 rams, 370 Angus cows, 180 heifer calves, 80 steer calves, 60 18<br />
month finishing cattle <strong>and</strong> 10 bulls. In addition 400 Southl<strong>and</strong><br />
JUDGES’ COMMENTS<br />
dairy cows are wintered each year, mainly on brassica crop. “It’s<br />
good having the dairy cows to go on the crop, it helps with our<br />
development <strong>and</strong> regrassing programme, <strong>and</strong> we really enjoy<br />
both the animals <strong>and</strong> the strong relationship that we have with<br />
the herd owners,” says <strong>Jane</strong>.<br />
Newhaven <strong>and</strong> the Danseys Pass farm are about 260m asl <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Blair</strong>gowrie goes up to 600m asl. Contour on the home farm is<br />
50 percent steep, 40 percent rolling, <strong>and</strong> 10 percent flat. Danseys<br />
Pass is 60 percent flat, 40 percent rolling <strong>and</strong> <strong>Blair</strong>gowrie is 55<br />
percent steep, 35 percent rolling <strong>and</strong> 10 percent flat.<br />
Of the three, the Danseys Pass farm can have the longest growing<br />
season with its combination of soils <strong>and</strong> slightly higher rainfall.<br />
Most of the cattle are finished there. 45ha of the property is<br />
irrigated using a K line system that was recently converted from<br />
a big gun, in order to maximise water use efficiency. Newhaven<br />
<strong>and</strong> the <strong>Blair</strong>gowrie hill block are the breeding bases.<br />
Planting is long established on these two properties, noted<br />
the judges, <strong>and</strong> more recent on <strong>Blair</strong>gowrie. The judges wrote:<br />
“Over 60,000 trees have been established since 1972, often in<br />
harsh climatic conditions necessitating watering in droughts<br />
<strong>and</strong> sometimes replanting. New shelterbelts established on<br />
<strong>Blair</strong>gowrie since 2008 consist of three rows. One row of snow<br />
tolerant Leyl<strong>and</strong> cypress, one row of native flax <strong>and</strong> one row of<br />
mixed native species. A trickle water irrigation system is moved<br />
to each new annual shelter planting.”<br />
<strong>Blair</strong>gowrie is the current focus of their development work,<br />
under the watchful eye of Bruce of course! There is a policy<br />
of strictly no cultivation on westerly facing blocks, to combat<br />
wind erosion. Gullies <strong>and</strong> swales are being left in tussock to<br />
provide wide buffer strips alongside developed pastures with<br />
higher stocking rates. “This stops erosion, keeps the stock out<br />
•<br />
Systematic approach to nutrient management; nutrient budget, annual soil tests on transects, herbage testing for trace elements.<br />
•<br />
Impressive integration of stock class <strong>and</strong> type between properties, optimising soil <strong>and</strong> climate limitations throughout the year.<br />
•<br />
Focus on reducing effects on water quality; limiting stock access, pond development, careful water management <strong>and</strong> tussock retention.<br />
Excellent awareness of optimising biodiversity in pastoral l<strong>and</strong>scape; shelter planting <strong>and</strong> species selection; reintroduction of koura.
<strong>Blair</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jane</strong> <strong>Smith</strong><br />
‘Newhaven Farms Ltd’<br />
SUPREME AWARD WINNERS (continued)<br />
of any water, stops nutrient movement <strong>and</strong> is excellent natural<br />
shelter,” says <strong>Jane</strong>. “While we are taking some tussock country<br />
out we are really aware of how far is too far. Our priority is to<br />
keep the whole property in good heart <strong>and</strong> farm it sustainably.”<br />
The judges were impressed with <strong>Blair</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jane</strong>’s inherent search<br />
for new <strong>and</strong> better approaches <strong>and</strong> ideas. They highlighted the<br />
width of scope of these by giving examples: The planting of a<br />
16ha gully in Douglas Fir last year “to learn about carbon credits<br />
<strong>and</strong> the emissions trading scheme”; biodiversity in pastoral<br />
l<strong>and</strong>scapes including freshwater crayfish that David introduced;<br />
moving the family-owned beehives on trailers to specific sites<br />
as seasons dictate for optimal feeding <strong>and</strong> pollination; <strong>and</strong><br />
the trial <strong>and</strong> rapid development of new shelter belts in higher<br />
altitude areas.<br />
The Perendale stud receives the same perpetual scrutiny <strong>and</strong><br />
thought. Years of monitoring has resulted in a ‘nil drench’<br />
flock. Eye muscle indexes <strong>and</strong> CT scanning have also formed<br />
JUDGES’ COMMENTS<br />
an integral part of the monitoring system on the farm along<br />
with DNA testing for ‘cold tolerance’ in newborn lambs <strong>and</strong><br />
to identify susceptibility to footrot in sires. Newhaven has<br />
collaborated with AgResearch to investigate the sheep flock’s<br />
trait of having ‘bare breech’, three years ago they established<br />
a Perendale/Texel stud <strong>and</strong> they’re currently working on a new<br />
Perendale stud joint venture in Australia. “They are making full<br />
use of the technologies available to them, <strong>and</strong> demonstrating<br />
the value of those technologies,” said the judges.<br />
The judges describe as “extraordinary” the couple’s range of offfarm<br />
commitments to both community <strong>and</strong> their industry. <strong>Jane</strong><br />
works part-time as a Rabobank rural manager. Comments <strong>Blair</strong>:<br />
“Just like any other rural couple, the busier you get, the more<br />
organised you get.” His voluntary involvements include, Central<br />
South Isl<strong>and</strong> Farmer Council for Beef + Lamb NZ, Perendale<br />
Society junior judge, rugby coach <strong>and</strong> writing for Countrywide.<br />
<strong>Jane</strong>’s include, Perendale Society br<strong>and</strong>ing projects, playgroup<br />
co-ordinator, Plunket, netball, writing for two publications,<br />
<strong>and</strong> helping organise the Five Forks School Centenary this<br />
year. Daughter Charlotte is the primary school’s first fourth<br />
generation pupil; “it wasn’t something that I ever thought would<br />
happen, but it is really nice to be back in the same district I grew<br />
up in,” <strong>Jane</strong> says.<br />
Farm succession is, believes <strong>Jane</strong>, “like a live business plan -<br />
something everyone is constantly working on”. She has two<br />
sisters who are involved in the family succession plan with<br />
opportunities for involvement opening up as the business<br />
grows <strong>and</strong> changes. And <strong>Jane</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Blair</strong> are already thinking<br />
ahead to their children. “I see it as a moving target – it’s in the<br />
way a business is structured both now <strong>and</strong> in the future, rather<br />
than how many farms there are to go around.”<br />
•<br />
Clear steps taken to minimise sediment loss through management of winter crops, paddock selection <strong>and</strong> cultivation techniques.<br />
•<br />
Proactive in continually applying new knowledge to advance sheep stud; DNA testing <strong>and</strong> collaboration with AgResearch.<br />
Impressive ‘nil adult sheep drenching’ policy, closely monitored; experimentation with pasture mixes to sustainably develop sensitive<br />
•<br />
hill areas.<br />
Awareness <strong>and</strong> adaptation to market locally <strong>and</strong> globally; knowledge readily shared <strong>and</strong> gained via involvement in industry groups.
Doug <strong>and</strong> Jeannie Brown<br />
‘Punchbowl’<br />
BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND LIVESTOCK AWARD<br />
The Browns were using intergenerational<br />
experience <strong>and</strong> their own thoughtful input<br />
to maximise their 527ha North Otago farming<br />
business, according to the award judges.<br />
Describing the Brown’s sheep stud <strong>and</strong> drystock operation as<br />
‘top performing” the judges noted in their feedback report:<br />
“Choice of stock type, system <strong>and</strong> adaptation of that stock<br />
type <strong>and</strong> system over time points to truly sustainable use of<br />
l<strong>and</strong>, people <strong>and</strong> capital resources to increase the financial<br />
stability of the business.”<br />
Doug <strong>and</strong> Jeannie have two properties south of Oamaru, which<br />
they operate together. The home block, ‘Punchbowl’, is 381ha<br />
(360ha effective) in the Maheno district. Their ‘Totara’ block<br />
(146ha, 140ha effective) is 15kms to the northeast. Both are flat<br />
to rolling in contour, variable soils <strong>and</strong> summer dry. Rainfall<br />
averages 500ml per year.<br />
The main Romney commercial flock of ewes numbers<br />
approximately 2000. Also wintered last year were 1000<br />
JUDGES’ COMMENTS<br />
recorded ewes (Suffolk, Polled Dorset or Texel crosses of these),<br />
550 Romney ewe hoggets, 350 recorded stud ewe hoggets, 300<br />
recorded ram hoggets, 30 rams <strong>and</strong> 24 beef cattle. On the Totara<br />
property 400 cows from a neighbouring dairy conversion have<br />
wintered there for the past four years.<br />
Doug, who is a councillor on the Otago Regional Council <strong>and</strong><br />
an Alliance Group director, explains his early years shape his<br />
approach to farming. “We experienced some droughts, <strong>and</strong><br />
some tough old years financially.That motivates you to want to<br />
make sure you have a sustainable farming system,” he says.<br />
The judges commended this awareness, noting the use of direct<br />
drilling <strong>and</strong> writing, “much thought has been taken in regard<br />
to countering the usual summer dry, <strong>and</strong> mitigating potential<br />
losses. A conservative stocking rate, early lambing <strong>and</strong> the use<br />
of lucerne <strong>and</strong> rape are examples of this approach”.<br />
Doug happily admits to a partiality for stock over machinery, so<br />
it is no surprise that when he <strong>and</strong> Jeannie took over Punchbowl<br />
from his maternal gr<strong>and</strong>father’s estate in 1989 he made<br />
establishing more shelter a priority. Since then they have put<br />
in over 10kms of shelter. Now, every paddock has some shelter<br />
<strong>and</strong> shade for stock. “The sooner you get shelter growing the<br />
sooner you get value from it,” says Doug. “I always thought other<br />
things, like machinery, could wait, shelter couldn’t.”<br />
Doug’s gr<strong>and</strong>father HJ (Henry) Andrew farmed Punchbowl for<br />
over 70 years. He established a Southdown sheep stud there.<br />
“He was certainly a legend,” says Doug. The large homestead<br />
on the property is predominantly built of concrete <strong>and</strong> dates<br />
back to 1876. Doug <strong>and</strong> Jeannie have recently affirmed their<br />
commitment to their family l<strong>and</strong> by extensively renovating <strong>and</strong><br />
preserving the building. The couple have two children, Simon<br />
(21) <strong>and</strong> Alice (19).<br />
•<br />
Top performing intergenerational dryl<strong>and</strong> property, high per hectare performance over an extended period.<br />
•<br />
Mix of stock class <strong>and</strong> type well managed <strong>and</strong> integrated; early <strong>and</strong> priority focus on planting shelter.<br />
•<br />
Practical choices to farm for the long term; smart prioritisation of capital expenditure, debt reduction, off-farm investment.<br />
Extensive off-farm involvement advancing sheep industry <strong>and</strong> community (Alliance Group, ORC <strong>and</strong> previously <strong>Federated</strong> <strong>Farmers</strong>).
Akarua Ltd<br />
Matt Connell (General Manager/Winemaker) <strong>and</strong> Gillian Wilson (Viticulturalist)<br />
WATERFORCE INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AWARD<br />
HILL LABORATORIES HARVEST AWARD<br />
The award judges found “a clear underst<strong>and</strong>ing of sustainable <strong>and</strong> environmental practise<br />
was evident in all aspects of the vineyard <strong>and</strong> winery operation” at Akarua, a 50ha premium<br />
wine-producing business at Bannockburn in Central Otago.<br />
Established in 1996 by Sir Clifford Skeggs, on an early wave of<br />
the grape revolution in Central Otago, Akarua is the largest<br />
family-owned single site vineyard/winery in the region. Being all<br />
on one site is a key aspect of the business says Gillian; it allows<br />
maximum control. “Because we are so quality focused, that’s a<br />
really important thing,” she says.<br />
The judges described Matt <strong>and</strong> Gillian as “hard working,<br />
passionate operators”. They said, “the overall management<br />
structure, the clarity of business goals <strong>and</strong> objectives, both<br />
financial <strong>and</strong> strategic, <strong>and</strong> the communication within the team<br />
were outst<strong>and</strong>ing.”<br />
Oversight of Akarua is by the board of directors, who Matt <strong>and</strong><br />
Gillian meet with regularly. In addition to Matt <strong>and</strong> Gillian there<br />
JUDGES’ COMMENTS<br />
are nine permanent staff, two regular vineyard staff <strong>and</strong> up to<br />
30 seasonal employees. Supporting Gillian is vineyard supervisor<br />
Marc Cooper who established himself as a key member of the<br />
vineyard team while working at Akarua <strong>and</strong> studying for his<br />
Diploma in Viticulture.<br />
The judges highlighted the value placed on staff at Akarua<br />
praising, “the emphasis placed on excellent staff management<br />
through training, welfare, health <strong>and</strong> safety, ensuring retention<br />
of staff enabling them to consistently produce a high quality<br />
product.” The business is a shareholder in ‘Seasonal Solutions’,<br />
a co-operative venture set up to assist in connecting growers<br />
<strong>and</strong> workers.<br />
Gillian has been at Akarua since 2003 <strong>and</strong> Matt since 2008.<br />
The judges were impressed with the integration between<br />
the vineyard <strong>and</strong> winery, noting that the management in the<br />
vineyard flowed into the winery in response to the needs of<br />
the winemaker. They wrote: “The relationship management,<br />
communication <strong>and</strong> implementation of practise <strong>and</strong> systems<br />
apparent between the viticulturalist (Gillian) <strong>and</strong> the winemaker<br />
(Matt) was outst<strong>and</strong>ing.”<br />
Gillian explains: “I appreciate that Matt has respect for what is<br />
going on in the vineyard. What I aim to do each year is present<br />
the winery with fruit that expresses the best of what the site has<br />
done, with minimal need for any intervention in the winemaking<br />
process.”<br />
Between 20,000-25,000 cases of wine are produced annually.<br />
The vineyard has been an accredited member of Sustainable<br />
Winegrowing New Zeal<strong>and</strong> since 2003 <strong>and</strong> the winery since<br />
•<br />
Top-producing vineyard with a vision <strong>and</strong> strategy to promote Central Otago <strong>and</strong> be recognised nationally <strong>and</strong> internationally.<br />
•<br />
Active involvement in industry groups; focus on supporting local business <strong>and</strong> education (training Otago Polytechnic students).<br />
Impressive integration between vineyard <strong>and</strong> winery; hard working passionate operators; clear objectives ensuring long<br />
•<br />
term sustainability.<br />
Careful consideration of varietal plantings; inherent underst<strong>and</strong>ing of each variety’s response to soil type <strong>and</strong> moisture.
2008. Plantings are approximately 75 percent pinot noir, 15<br />
percent chardonnay, nine percent pinot Gris <strong>and</strong> one percent<br />
Riesling.<br />
Contour <strong>and</strong> soil type ranges from flat with deep s<strong>and</strong>y silt<br />
loams, to glacial terraces with lighter alluvial soil <strong>and</strong>, on the<br />
steeper hillsides, very free draining light top soils overlaying<br />
broken schistose rock. The vineyard site, overlooking the tail end<br />
of the Kawarau River as it enters Lake Dunstan, can be windy,<br />
but Gillian points out this can be beneficial for disease control.<br />
An integrated pest management (IPM) system is firmly<br />
established in the vineyard, minimising the use of sprays <strong>and</strong><br />
other chemicals. It is a priority to ensure all permanent staff are<br />
aware of changes <strong>and</strong> issues to look for as they move about the<br />
vines, says Gillian. “I’m out there a lot, but it needs more eyes<br />
out there than just mine,” she explains.<br />
She takes a holistic approach to vine health, recognising that<br />
“a healthy plant doesn’t have the same stresses or vulnerability<br />
to diseases as an unhealthy plant” <strong>and</strong> that half the vine is<br />
underground. “Soil health is where it all stems from, so that’s<br />
where we start. And if a plant is healthy, when you ask it to work<br />
it performs better. That’s how we achieve consistent crops of<br />
high quality grapes.”<br />
The judges recognised that soil health was amongst the many<br />
factors “vigorously” monitored at Akarua. Soils <strong>and</strong> soil organic<br />
matter were tested every two years <strong>and</strong> plant tissue tests<br />
annually they said, <strong>and</strong> they noted “excellent underst<strong>and</strong>ing of<br />
soils that are light, fragile <strong>and</strong> prone to erosion <strong>and</strong> ensuring that<br />
block development <strong>and</strong> varietal selection is appropriate to soil<br />
type <strong>and</strong> topography throughout the vineyard”.<br />
A nutrient management plan is prepared <strong>and</strong> used with test<br />
results to determine nutrient requirements <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong><br />
what is being lost off the vineyard. Fertigation (water <strong>and</strong><br />
nutrient combined) is used beneath all vines. Interow natural<br />
cover (thyme, short dry tussock <strong>and</strong> grasses) is maintained every<br />
row to prevent soil erosion <strong>and</strong> moisture loss.<br />
Water is a major consideration on this property but Gillian<br />
believes it is on every property. “Water is a scarce resource no<br />
matter where you are,” she points out. The judges said at Akarua<br />
there was, “excellent <strong>and</strong> careful management of water inputs<br />
<strong>and</strong> outputs”. Two years ago an audit of the irrigation system<br />
was undertaken <strong>and</strong> findings actioned.<br />
Gillian is proud that since she has come to Akarua the records<br />
show water use has reduced “significantly”. She says she<br />
has worked hard to drive the roots of the vines deeper in<br />
search of moisture. Neutron probes <strong>and</strong> a specialist company<br />
‘Hydroservices’ are used for monitoring each week.<br />
Commented the judges: “An excellent <strong>and</strong> inherent<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing of the way each varietal responds to each<br />
different soil type <strong>and</strong> while using recorded monitoring to drive<br />
irrigation scheduling, also adjusts through visual indicators <strong>and</strong><br />
communication with winemaker in optimising balance between<br />
flavour <strong>and</strong> production volume.”<br />
•<br />
Impressive staff retention resulting in excellent canopy management <strong>and</strong> consistency in producing a quality product.<br />
Vigorous monitoring systems around pest management (IPM), water <strong>and</strong> nutrient use; excellent management <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
•<br />
of soils.<br />
Careful management of water inputs <strong>and</strong> outputs; proactive leadership <strong>and</strong> management of water allocated.<br />
strong monitoring <strong>and</strong> irrigation scheduling; auditing to identify water use areas for efficiency improvement.<br />
• Very<br />
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
Milburn Dairy - Otago Corrections Facility, Tony Russell (principal instructor)<br />
FINALIST 2012<br />
Tony has ample reason to state that running<br />
this 125ha, 347-cow farm just north of Milton<br />
is “challenging above <strong>and</strong> beyond normal dairy<br />
farming”.<br />
THE AWARDS<br />
FIELD DAY<br />
The field day will be held at the 2012<br />
Supreme Winner’s property.<br />
Name: <strong>Blair</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Jane</strong> <strong>Smith</strong><br />
Newhaven Farms Ltd<br />
When: To be confirmed.<br />
Time: To be confirmed.<br />
Where: 457 Dunrobin Road,<br />
Five Forks, North Otago<br />
For details, contact:<br />
Beatrice Lee,<br />
Regional Coordinator<br />
Phone: 03 473 9566<br />
Mobile: 027 2088 305<br />
Email otago@bfea.org.nz<br />
The farm, purchased by the Department of Corrections in 2002<br />
<strong>and</strong> run by Corrections since 2007, surrounds the prison now<br />
built there. Each day up to 16 prisoners are working on it alongside<br />
the three to four farm staff. Whilst the farm is expected to be<br />
commercially viable the priority is clearly “prison first, dairy farm<br />
second”, explains Tony. Other instructors currently working on<br />
the farm are Willie Seheri <strong>and</strong> Robert Tamepo.<br />
The award judges commended a number of aspects of the<br />
property including the increasing production utilising pasture<br />
as its primary food source, extensive native plantings, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
use of the farm to up-skill prisoners.<br />
The judges wrote in their feedback report: “The results that<br />
have been achieved on the property in the past four years are<br />
a credit to the management <strong>and</strong> staff given the priorities they<br />
have to balance. The staff <strong>and</strong> management are passionate<br />
about their jobs. The people skills staff have in managing training<br />
of prisoners as well as technical skills in managing a productive<br />
dairy farm are to be admired.”<br />
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards® are designed to encourage farmers to support <strong>and</strong> adopt sustainable farming practices.<br />
The awards are now held in Northl<strong>and</strong>, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu/Whanganui, East Coast, Greater Wellington, Canterbury,<br />
Southl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Otago. This is their ninth year in the Otago region.<br />
Ballance Farm Environment Awards National Sponsors Regional Partner