CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR 2020 WINNERS
READ MORE ABOUT OUR WINNERS INSIDE
Championing Primary Industry in Hawke’s Bay Since 1858
Awards contribute significantly to region’s primary industry
T
he 2020 Napier Port Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Awards are organised by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society. General Manager, Sally Jackson stated, “We are so proud of these awards. They are long established and contribute significantly to the primary industry across the region.” She added “This year marks the 48th year of the Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of theYear award and entrants across all categories have represented some of the finest and most innovative, industrious primary producers in the country and produce some of the highest quality food and fibre to be found anywhere in the world.” Awards such as these articulate the story of excellence within rural New Zealand and celebrate success, business innovation and growth. “Year on year we have a fantastic group of businesses, organisations and volunteers who are all helping make these awards possible. Our incredibly loyal
sponsors who join us each year allows the Society to promote the Ag, Food and Fibre sector to a wide audience, facilitating events that make a difference, acknowledging the history and heritage of farming, developing educational programmes, awarding scholarships and celebrating excellence in all its forms so that the sector and the Hawke’s Bay region can continue to develop, grow and prosper”. The Hawke’s Bay A&P Society aims “To bring town and country together” and this rings as true now as it did when the vision of the organisation was first created over a 150 years ago. Other events organised by the Hawke’s Bay A & P Society include the BNZ National Horticulture Field Days in June, the Hawke’s Bay A&P Bayley’s Wine Awards in October and The New Zealand Royal A & P Show also in October. The Society is located at the historic and beautiful Tomoana Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay and the facilities on site are
Simon Collin President, Isabelle Crawshaw Event Manager and Sally Jackson General Manager Hawke’s Bay A&P Society frequently hired out by the community and is the home base for the national event; Landrover Horse of Year.
For more information on the Hawke’s Bay A & P Society contact the General Manager, Sally Jackson.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL NAPIER PORT HAWKES BAY PRIMARY SECTOR AWARDS RECIPIENTS FOR 2020 ANZ is proud to support the following winners: Tim & Alice Nelson – SFF Hawkes Bay Farmer of the Year Greg & Rachael Hartree – Pan Pac Hawkes Bay Farm Forester of the Year Angela Payne, Agri-Lab Co Products – BWR Innovation Award
If you’d like to find out how we can help you succeed with your business goals, contact Marcus Bousfield 027 498 9425 or Willie Lyons 027 285 0174
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Napier Port salutes the region’s primary sector heroes The principal sponsor of the Napier Port Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Awards is passionate about our region’s primary industries, and acknowledges the significant role the sector is playing to support our regional and national economic response and recovery.
O
riginally set to take place on March 19, the Hawke’s Bay A & P Society made the very difficult decision to postpone the Napier Port Primary Sector Awards only days out due to COVID-19. A few days later, the entire country went into level four lockdown for five weeks. The last six months have been a turbulent time for all New Zealanders, and our region’s growers, farmers and farm foresters have faced a challenging year like no other. Having weathered the national emergencies of COVID-19 and unprecedented drought conditions, the awards evening was a fitting opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the excellence on show across our agriculture, forestry and horticulture sectors. Napier Port has been the principal sponsor for the awards for five years, and Chief Executive Todd Dawson says that they were thrilled to be back again to salute the heroes across the region’s primary sector. “Our local agriculture, forestry and horticulture sectors are very much the
backbone of the country that is helping to hold up our economy and protect against greater uncertainty and loss.” “It makes me hugely proud of our region, and of the role the port plays in supporting and enabling our primary sector. We continue to invest to support the long-term growth of the sector and our customers.” As Hawke’s Bay’s gateway to world markets, Napier Port is connected into primary sector businesses right across the region. Dawson says that the nature of their work gives the team at the port an insight into hundreds of primary businesses and this close customer connection proved invaluable during the COVID-19 lockdown. “We want to thank our primary sector customers for their support and trust as the port adapted to the lockdown restrictions, and figured out how to keep our people healthy and keep your cargo flowing through the port.” “At Napier Port, our purpose is to build a thriving region by connecting our customers to the world. The primary sector is integral to that goal, and we’re proud to partner with the Hawke’s Bay
A & P Society to encourage innovation and celebrate those at the leading edge of the industry.” Napier Port is signed on as principal sponsor for next year’s awards and Dawson says his team are grateful for the opportunity to continue to honour the hard work and commitment of all our farmers, horticulturalists, farm foresters and rural professionals.
Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson
KEEPING FREIGHT FLOWING AND OUR REGION CONNECTED napierport.co.nz
Napier Port
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@napierport
Celebrating excellence in pastoral farming T
he Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer ofTheYear Awards identify, promote and celebrate excellence in pastoral farming in Hawke’s Bay. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Award Tim and Alice Nelson. Silver Fern Farms wishes to congratulate all competitors in the Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year Competition for setting such high standards and achieving them. 2020 has presented challenges to our region and industry and Silver Fern Farms would like to commend farmers for showing resilience through the Hawke’s Bay drought and producing quality stock despite trying circumstances. Farmers rallied to show their support and gratitude for Silver Fern Farms’ essential workers that continued to process stock at Takapau and Pacific plants during the Covid-19 lockdown and Silver Fern Farms would like to acknowledge this sentiment of kindness from the farming community. Recent partnerships with Meat the Need and online retailer Gourmet Direct are proving to be positive allegiances in uncertain times. Silver Fern Farms is thrilled to have partnered with Meat the Need, a new charity designed to give New Zealand farmers the opportunity to help New Zealand families in need access quality red meat. Meat the Need is partnering with Silver Fern Farms to ensure that livestock,
donated by farmers, is processed and packed with care at Silver Fern Farms Takapau into beef mince packs, which will then be distributed to City Missions and food banks across the country. The full retail range of Silver Fern Farms’ natural, grass-fed, premium red meat products are now available to be ordered online and delivered direct to consumers across New Zealand thanks to a new partnership with Gourmet Direct, a nationwide e-commerce business located in Hawke’s Bay specialising in premium New Zealand meat products. Silver Fern Farms’ Group Marketing Manager, Nicola Johnston says the partnership with Gourmet Direct was a natural fit, with online shopping becoming more popular than ever following the Covid-19 lockdown. “Silver Fern Farms has established a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most trusted meat brands, and by joining forces with Gourmet Direct we can bring our farmers’ world-class meat products to more Kiwis’ plates throughout New Zealand. It’s great to be able to service that demand in collaboration with a wellregarded Hawke’s Bay-based business. The Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year Award is an opportunity to acknowledge farmers’ efforts.
We hope the award encourages other farmers to continue to think of the experience they deliver for the consumer, so they can make progress on their farms and help us show the world the place, people and passion behind our natural, sustainable food. Consumers are increasingly buying more than just our red meat – they are buying our unique compelling story, which is the story of the communities that we support together and our passion for creating some of the best red meat in the world.
Delicious Starts Here. The Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year Award recognises farmers for their ability to produce inspirational quality food. We are proud supporters of the award for over 30 years. Congratulations to our 2020 winners Tim and Alice Nelson. www.silverfernfarms.com
CONTACT: For livestock enquiries contact your local Silver Fern Farms’ dedicated livestock representative or phone 0800 362 362. 100% MADE OF NEW ZEALAND www.silverfernfarms.com To find out more about donating livestock to Meat the Need visit www.meattheneed.org To order Silver Fern Farms products online visit www.gourmetdirect.co.nz
The good times outweigh the bad T
he supreme Hawke’s Bay farming trophy, the Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of theYear was awarded toTim and Alice Nelson.The judges noted the outstanding monitoring, analysis, uptake of technology, involvement of professional mentorship, environmental management; planning and the astonishing animal performance made them a standout competitor. The couple confess that after they’d been announced the winner things were a bit of a blur but they are very pleased to have won the prestigious award. This was their second entry and they feel that the improvements they made thanks to the judges comments in 2019 helped them achieve their win this year. The couple have had great encouragement and help from Marcus Bousfield and Dan Waldon at the ANZ Bank. Alice was brought up on a lifestyle block in Prebbleton near Christchurch. Tim’s sister Belinda Kelly, an accountant and her husband Dan have shared their knowledge freely. Farm consultant John Cannon has also been of tremendous support. Tim grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Bridge Pa, his mum and dad David and
Annabel 8, Alice, Tim and Harry, 5, love life on the farm.
Tim was a truck driver before taking up farming.
Kaye Nelson still farm there. It was thanks to the significant financial support of his parents that they were able to buy Te Wairere, 315 ha in Puketitiri, in 2011. Tim didn’t immediately follow in his father’s footsteps choosing instead a career as a truck driver contracting for his father. The couple met in London while both doing their OE. Alice worked as a nanny and did “a few horsey things,” and Tim “pretended to be a builder.” Alice was a groom at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. In changing careers back in 2011 Tim says he’d previously considered farming “then this place popped up.” The conditions in Bridge Pa are quite different to the high country in Puketitiri so it was quite a learning curve to begin with. The couple were living in Havelock North prior to buying the farm. “It was a
shock to move to Puketitiri and we love it,” Alice says. “We’ve got great friends and couldn’t think of living anywhere else. We sometimes pinch ourselves that we did buy this place.” They have two children Annabel, 8, and Harry who turned 5 during lockdown. Alice works part-time as an office administrator at Patoka School. The kids really enjoy life on the farm and have a pony each, Harry’s got a motorbike, they go rabbit shooting and hunting. This year they both have pet lambs that they’ll show at school pet day at the end of October. Lock down was an opportunity to enjoy the kids and have a working holiday, Tim says. Winters are tough and the average rainfall, some 1700mm a year means they often can hang on when others encounter drought. Strengths are the summer rainfall.
PEOPLE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY EFFICIENCIES COVERAGE COST EFFECTIVE ONE STOP SHOP
Winners choose the right Team – Congratulations to Tim and Alice
0800 835 9450 • aerospread.co.nz
Tim prides himself on the condition of the stock and confesses to being much more passionate about the sheep than the bulls. We’re 85% sheep and 150 Friesian bulls prop up the rest of it. They have 2,000 breeding ewes Romneys and 600 ewe hoggets. “It’s very simple, it’s a very basic system.” It’s a small operation with no staff except casuals at pressure times. “We have had some bloody hard times but the good times outweigh them.”
“Everything we do comes back to the animals. There’s nothing better than finishing off those lambs to good weights and seeing them end up on plates in North America. I like the fact they’re killed locally,” Tim says. Most lambs go through the Atkins Ranch in Hastings and they are GAP certified through the Ranch. “Our Friesian bull policy is flexible but generally involves wintering 150 yearling bulls purchased in November at 100kg and
The family have shifted priorities since they had children.
Sheep are Tim’s passion.
sold before the second winter. Some are prime or store depending on the seasons. We went into the bulls three or four years ago. We were trading beef heifers but this was a policy change and purely a financial decision.” They’ve also completed major riparian planting in the last three years establishing
3,000 native plants and fencing off creeks. They feel it’s very rewarding to have done it all themselves. The one weakness as Tim sees it is the small size of the farm. But then they do have the opportunity too to buy or lease more land. However, Tim admits to being financially risk averse.
Congratulating Tim & Alice on a well deserved result
THUMBSUPTO OURFARMERS ANDGROWERS. CONGRATULATIONSTO TIMANDALICENELSON
Winners of the Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year award 2020. FMG is proud to work with those that continually innovate and progress. We understand that rural people are problem solvers and each problem solved helps us to progress. If that sounds like the kind of rural insurer you’d like to deal with, give us a call on 0800 366 466 or visit fmg.co.nz We’re here for the good of the country.
Simon Hansen 027 645 2023 simon@hansenlivestock.co.nz
Congratulations Tim & Alice
“I like having my money in the bank, but we should probably be looking at having more debt.” They do get plenty of help and advice on all major decisions and it has been quite a learning curve getting to grips with farming and finance. Tim likes to be outdoors, not in an office so Alice does much of the administration. Since having children time management has become more important to the couple and they have a good life work balance. “The kids come first.” They have quite an active social and community life. Tim is on the committee of the local golf club and they often go there
on a Saturday night for a drink, dinner and a catch up. Tim’s also a member of various other committees and groups including the Patoka Dog Trials Committee and the Vet Services Farm Discussion Group. He volunteers with the fire brigade and is president of the Puketitiri Sports club. “We don’t really sit still, we love what we do,” Alice says. So how do they relax? Golf is Tim’s time out and the family have a secret hideaway where they go camping. “We feel pretty lucky living in this special part of New Zealand.”
The Nelson’s Friesian bull policy is flexible.
Proudly working with Hawke’s Bay farmers
If there’s one weakness Tim says it’s the size of the farm
Proud to supply tough hill country Romney and Suftex rams to Tim and Alice Nelson - winners of Silver Fern Farms HB Farmer of the Year.
Together, we’ll get your farm thriving To create a fertiliser plan that suits your needs, contact your local Nutrient Specialist, Alex Dickson on 027 548 5214. ballance.co.nz | 0800 222 090
Rob Tennent 06 8554 943 or 0279321034 www.pahiwi-rams.co.nz
Pahiwi rams
Details 450m above sea level, house 720m above sea level at top of farm Long, harsh winters with 100 days the grass doesn’t grow (Their risk) Generally pretty summer safe Average rainfall 1700mm Soil volcanic
Stock Performance:
Sheep – Hogget Mating: No Toxo/Campy: all 2th and they get Salvexin® MA Ewe Breed: Romney MA Ram: Romney (Pahiwi) 5/6yrs Suftex Mating Dates MA: 1April – Terminals (500) 15 April – Main ewes and 2th (1500) Teaser MA ewes: No Weaning Date: 1December Maternals/ 15 December Terminals- works draft aim to kill 45% straight off mum at 17.5kg. Lamb policy post weaning: aim to finish most lambs by start of April, Atkins ranch over 42kg, 19kg CCS
Specialists in Sheep and Beef
NAPIER: 210 Taradale Road P: (06) 843 5308 HASTINGS: 801 Heretaunga Street P: (06) 876 7001 WAIPUKURAU: 43 Takapau Road P: (06) 858 9060 • • • • • •
Congratulations Tim & Alice Nelson Timely, Practical, Quality Advice John Cannon - 0274 572 867
Cartage Contractors Lime & Fertiliser Spreading Contractors Livestock Transport Transport Co-Ordinators & Consultants Transport Operators Transport Services Freight
Phone: (06) 857 8170 | Email: all@stephensontransport.co.nz
‘Congratulations’
supporting Tim and Alice from the ground up! Servicing the Puketapu, Patoka and Puketitiri area for cultivation, drilling, maize/beet planting, baling, balage supply and earthmoving requirements.
Phone: 06 844 2312 or 021 308 684 Email: info@ct.net.nz
MA scan %
Annabel and Harry with their pet lambs.
2018/19
2019/20
199
202
MA ewe dry%
0.7
1
2T scan %
183
179
2T dry %
1.9
2.4
Terminal scan %
191
192
Terminal dry %
2
2
MA & 2T lamb %
153
157
Terminal lamb%
117
150
overall lamb %
141 (storm)
155
Field Day – Essential Information The Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year Field Day Thursday 12 November. Tim and Alice Nelson 50 Little Bush Road Puketitiri, Napier • • • • • •
10:00am registration ATV or Side by Side only Helmets required Lunch is $10 cash donation to Patoka School Follow directions to parking on arrival Rain, hail or shine
The couple are looking forward to hosting their field day.
Congratulations
from our family to your family.
Congratulat Congratulations t l i on your success Tim and Alice
Well done to Tim and Alice Nelson for winning the 2020 Silver Fern Farms Hawke's Bay Farmer of the Year.
PROUD TO SUPPORT THE SILVER FERN FARMS HAWKES BAY FARMER OF THE YEAR.
Follow us on 1012 Omahu Rd
06 879 9998
The Top Paddock
Cameron Taylor Cameron Taylor was honoured to be named as the Horticentre Horticulturist of the Year. Cameron, alongside Kelvin his father are the face of Taylors, fourth generation in fact, but is quick to point out that the business is a massive team effort involving family, permanent and seasonal staff. The judges commented that “Serving on several industry boards including the New Zealand Apples and Pears board, Cameron’s drive, dedication and hard work in the apple industry has ensured careers in the horticulture industry are at the forefront of school children’s minds and that the hort industry remains strong for future generations.” More than 50 years ago Cameron’s father and mentor, Kelvin Taylor sold his car at the age of 18 to buy his first block of land next door to develop his own orchard. Today, the family grows over 400 hectares of apples in a fully integrated business, with a packhouse, cool-stores, and its own sales and marketing team. Cameron and his wife Tara have three children, two of whom are already helping out during school holidays.
One says “he doesn’t need to go to university (at the age of 10) because he knows all there is to know about apples.” Shortage of labour is an ongoing issue which puts terrific pressure on the staff who can work up to 80 or 90 hours a week during peak season, he says. More seasonal workers would mean fewer hours for his permanent staff. The business has grown considerably (130ha) in the last
three or four years and have only been allocated very few more RSE workers, Cameron says. Attracting youngsters to the industry is another key priority and those they have recruited are doing well with several in supervisory positions in their early 20s. Taylorcorp also host schools to show them the opportunities available.
Horticentre Trust Hawke’s Bay Horticulturist of the Year
T
he HorticentreTrust Hawke’s Bay Horticulturalist of the Year award recognises an outstanding individual who has made a significant contribution to horticulture through their innovation, resilience and leadership along with
their commitment to education, the environment and their social responsibility.This award is open to all fruit and vegetable growers including land owners, leasees and managers based in Hawke’s Bay.
As one of the few family owned, large scale apple businesses left in New Zealand, the Taylor family takes pride in doing their best to keep its family-business values while continuing to progress and grow. Staff are considered as part of the Taylorcorp family within the business, and the wellbeing and development of all employees is a real priority. “It’s exciting but it’s a team effort and you can’t forget the spouses as someone needs to look after the children while the partner is working.” Christmas is generally celebrated with the staff and this year they
are planning a multi-cultural day at the Tongan camp. Organising events can be a challenge with so many employees, he says. Cameron also contributes to the wider community and industry and is a highly respected industry leader. In addition to serving on the New Zealand Apples and Pears board, he’s on the Taylor Hawks Basketball board and he supports his team to work with local schools, to promote careers in the horticultural sector. “We need to attract more people, take some
responsibility on and don’t leave it up to the old guys.” Cameron is of the opinion that “you can’t moan about an industry if you don’t put the effort in, he finds serving on the NZAP board is educational and he’s learned plenty about governance, he also believes his contributed knowledge and passion has helped direct positive change within the industry.” There are some interesting contrasts too between a corporate and family run business. The industry never stands still and they are always learning and investing in new
techniques and technology. Their new development blocks have walls of apples, grown like grapes. They use tractor trains during the harvest, eliminating heavy picking bags and ladders and are mechanically hedge trimmed straight after harvest so no winter pruning is required. In the packhouse there’s been an upgrade to robotics and this season they will be the first company to use Otto’s self-driving robotic forklifts. However, Cameron thinks efficient and cost effective robotic pickers are some years away yet!
Actively supporting innovation and development 19 October 2020 – Field Day
E
IT’s School of Primary Industries actively supports innovation and development within the primary sector. Paul Keats, Assistant Head of School of Primary Industries says, “The sponsorship of the horticulture field day at the Taylor’s property is a great opportunity to showcase innovation and illustrate to others the future direction and opportunities within the
sector to ensure the industry remains world class in New Zealand.” New Zealand’s fast-changing economy demands well-trained workers as well as creative and critical thinkers. EIT industry-experienced tutors support each student on a personal level. They grow students to be work-ready and foster a spirit of lifelong learning. Students gain transferable knowledge and hands-on
skills while securing industry connections to future-proof their career. Based on the input of industry partners, EIT is constantly widening its range of programmes. “Our priority is to ensure people who aspire to work in horticulture can be of value to their employer from the beginning, and provide further education to those wanting to advance their careers in the industry,” says Paul.
EIT is committed to the celebration of success. This sponsorship allows EIT to support the collaboration between the Horticulturist of the Year award winners and people working in the industry. Paul says, “Our relationship with local industry provides us with input so our qualification offering remain relevant to the changing industry.”
EIT is Proud to Support the Horticulture Field Day One of EIT’s priorities is to work closely with industry and communities in Hawke’s Bay. EIT has always played a pivotal role in equipping student with high-quality skills and knowledge in order to contribute to Hawke’s Bay’s booming primary sector. Hawke’s Bay growing industries need skilled workers, and EIT offers the necessary qualifications to help the region and its people thrive. Thanks to active collaboration, EIT’s School of Primary Industries continues to develop innovative programmes, provide students with real-work experience and get them ready to work.
Cameron Taylor of Taylor Corp (left) with Chris Herries, Regional Manager for HortiCentre (right)
horticulture.eit.ac.nz 0800 22 55 348 |
Greg and Rachael Hartree F
arm Foresters of the Year winners Greg and Rachael Hartree are continuing the work of his parents at their Waihau farm, Ngaroto. The judges’ citation said it was “especially pleasing to see properties where the second generation has continued the work of the first to further develop a fully sustainable farming system. Greg and Rachael have done this extremely well.” The 1200ha farm is a mixture of gorges, steep faces, rolling hills and flats. It is a Romney sheep and angus beef breeding and finishing operation. The Tutaekuri River forms the southern boundary. The farm is notable for its lack of sheep dogs. Rachael said this was because the main laneway right through the farm meant every paddock opened into it. That and “a good rattle” mean the stock soon get used to moving without dogs. “It’s better for the stock to be handled quietly.” The couple says they could not have achieved what they had “without the
framework Greg’s parents Thomas and Dora set up.” The elder Hartrees were well known for their trees and the next generation has continued and expanded that. About 220ha is planted in Pinus radiata as a commercial crop with some blocks are on their third rotation. There are also three blocks totalling 123ha under QE11 covenant. These are mostly regenerating native bush. Another 36ha is in lakes and dams. Seventeen-year-old son Jack is building himself a small hut on one of the blocks using timber from the farm. An irrigated lucerne crop on the flats has kept stock fed during droughts with any surplus baled and stored or sold. This year, however, the flats are going into maize to refill the silage pits emptied in this year’s drought. Ngaroto is part of a 200-year-old slump which caused natural dams and springs and red metal pits. The pits have been valuable for track and road maintenance on the farm. The deep pockets of soil and natural contours of the slump provide plenty of shelter.
Congratulations TO
RACHAEL & GREG HARTREE
Because of the red metal the tracks, which must be maintained for forestry access, are good enough to be able to easily drive a car right around the farm. On the harder, red metal, side of the farm there are cedrus deodars with redwoods on the river terraces, all fenced to protect them from the feral deer common in the area. Oaks are Greg’s first love and the laneways have been planted in them. They attract pheasants, ducks, kereru and deer in the autumn when the acorns fall. “The deer got very cheeky during the drought.” The favourite plantings are American oaks which provide shade and shelter in summer and winter and glorious blazes of colour in the autumn. “The colour show hits your eyes. “I get a kick out of seeing stock totally happy and relaxed under them in the summer heat.”
ON YOUR WELL DESERVERED WIN!
Contact us for a no-obligation quote or to discuss a project. We look forward to hearing from you. on your success Rachael & Greg Hartree!
waterright.co.nz
Phone: (06) 878 0011 • Mobile: 021 554 679
Family owned and operated livestock transport throughout the North Island.
0800 385 4248 info@foleystransport.co.nz
Some of the oaks could find a new role with the next generation, Jack and brother Tom, nine, as building materials. They are the fourth generation of Hartrees at Ngaroto. Elsewhere, other areas, such as the gorges and steep faces have been planted in a mix of exotics and natives. “We try to plant natives where it’s appropriate. Swampy, boggy, and hardto-access areas have been planted in kahikatea, rimu and kauri. “We have had trouble getting the kauri going because of a couple of hard, unexpected frosts,” Rachael says. The Hartrees also often welcome visitors on to their farm for activities such as horse treks, 4WD enthusiasts and school fundraiser trail bike rides to enjoy the scenery and the trees. “It’s our home and it’s beautiful. It changes every year and just gets more beautiful. “We live in paradise,” the couple says.
Farm forestry: Evidence stacks up
Tony Clifford
W
e believe forestry, as an industry, is one solution to a sustainable New Zealand future. With COVID-19 impacting our tourism and education sectors, Government is looking to forestry to fill the gap. In 2019, Pan Pac Forest Products processed $150m of logs into $450m of forest products: a value contribution of $300m.To attract investment to sustain and grow the value-added aspect of forestry, we need a reliable source of raw material for the next 50 years. Farm forestry is one way to achieve this.
Grow with us
For hundreds of years, farmers have adapted to suit the demands of the market and nature. To remain viable, they need to maximise the value generated from the properties that are their livelihoods. As a result, most farmers tend to be good business people. They make well-thought through, evidence-based decisions all the time on feed, irrigation, breed, stock levels, environmental controls and so forth. Recently in the media, there has been an increase in emotive rhetoric from industry groups about farm forestry. The focus of these arguments has been on farmers turning productive land into forests for carbon offsetting. These arguments imply that forestry is not a viable enterprise and that the only reason farmers would plant trees is for carbon credits. Farmers are also being told that a shift to large-scale afforestation
Farm foresters make a significant contribution to the primary sector in the Hawke’s Bay and the wider economy. We are proud to sponsor the Pan Pac Hawke’s Bay Farm Forester of the Year Award, which celebrates farm foresters who run well-maintained, profitable operations that enhance biodiversity and minimise environmental harm. www.panpac.co.nz
would result in the loss of thousands of jobs in rural areas. However, the reality could not be more different. Well-researched evidence shows that forestry is significantly more profitable and provides greater employment opportunities than sheep and beef farming, particularly on marginal land. That is even before carbon credits are applied. A recent report notes that while the forestry value chain is a smaller industry than the sheep and beef farming industry, it generates twice the value-add and full time equivalent employment opportunities on a per hectare basis (Economic Impact of Forestry in New Zealand, May 2020, PwC). Rather than dismissing farm forestry as a means for fossil-fuel polluters to offset, farming industry groups should be providing their members with evidence-
based advice on how best to optimise returns from their land. Farm forestry enables farmers to generate more profit and employment, ensuring their properties remain sustainable for the long-term. It’s also the right thing to do for the environment. Each year, through the Pan Pac Hawke’s Bay Farm Forester of the Year Award, we see many excellent examples of local farmers who run well-maintained, profitable operations that enhance biodiversity and minimise environmental harm. Farm forestry is a win-win for all stakeholders and we look forward to working with more farmers in this area for the benefit of New Zealand’s long-term future. Tony Clifford is Managing Director of Pan Pac Forest Products
Agri-Lab Co-Products A
ngela Payne, founder of Waipukurau based Agri-Lab CoProducts was incredibly surprised to hear that her company was the recipient of this year’s BWR Innovation award. “I went along assuming I was a finalist and to enjoy the bubbles that flow freely on the night. And that actually caught me out, it was quite a shock.” Agri-Lab Co-Products is a processor and exporter of raw materials for ingredients for the pharmaceutical, dietary supplements, medical devices and cosmetic industries. The company is the world’s number one supplier of animal placenta which adds significant value to the by-products waste stream of the meat industry in New Zealand. First and foremost she wishes to acknowledge the strong team of staff in the packhouse headed by Val Toft. “They all work really hard and work really well as a team. I come up with innovations, plans, recipes and formulas but they’re the ones that implement them.” It’s a small team with numbers varying from four to seven depending on the season. Angela founded the company 21 years ago while working as a vet nurse and caring for her small children. She took on feasibility studies for meat companies and was able to pick up work that they deemed not part of their core business. The business has grown from there. “The actual judging process took place in February/March and since then
we have actually added a whole lot of new innovations to our company. The thing that’s keeping the company busy is working on the Dairy Risk Management Programme which means we’ll be licensed to provide freeze dried dairy products for the dietary supplements market.”
Covid 19 pushed the business in all sorts of unexpected directions and the demand for wellness products has been outstanding. They trialled a number of processes over lockdown including freeze drying dairy products. “The end results were beautiful, she says. Angela sees the company at the forefront of the sheep milking revolution in Hawke’s Bay.
The company is doing extraordinarily well but Angela says “It’s grown too big, too fast.” She feels the company would do better with someone who has bigger, better ideas than she does. Therefore she’s actively pursuing a sale so that she can continue with the new owners in an advisory capacity while freeing up some time for other activities including spending more time on her farm.
The BWR Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Innovation Award
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he BWR Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Innovation Award recognises outstanding individuals and businesses making a significant contribution through ideas, knowledge and application to improve the performance of the primary sector. As a longstanding supporter, BWR are excited to be championing an award that recognises and celebrates those looking to forge an innovative pathway forwards into the future. For New Zealand’s primary sector to remain a world leader both in terms of its production and its
processes, we must promote, champion and celebrate its innovators – we therefore extend a huge congratulations to Angela Payne this year’s inspirational innovative winner! BWR’s Tech Hub is another way we’re helping the primary sector adopt and embrace innovation. Our tech hub team are experienced software specialists – committed to helping and supporting those looking to establish competitive advantage through process efficiency, and greater insight through better access to superior information.
Mike Petersen
“It’s an incredible honour to be recognised on my home turf. I was in a room with so many others who could have won this award so it’s very humbling” Waipukurau sheep and beef farmer Mike Petersen won this year’s Hastings District Council Industry Leader of the Year award for his dedicated work across a multitude of industry leadership and commercial governance roles, adding up to an impressive CV. His citation says he was “being recognised for his incredible and inspirational leadership across our food and fibre sector.” It includes being chair of Meat and Wool New Zealand which became Beef and Lamb New Zealand, a director of the Wool Research Organisation and six years as New Zealand Special Agricultural Trade Envoy championing New Zealand agriculture, food and fibre around the world. He has had many governance roles as well as being a director or chair of many primary production entities and currently sits on the boards of Kelso Genetics, Totally Vets Ltd, Anzco Foods and more recently Nui Markets. Mike’s international travel over many years advocating for the sector has given him some unique insights into the world of food that he is now applying to his governance and advisory roles in New Zealand. At a time when international travel is restricted due to Covid-19, he says Nui Markets is a company whose time has come, providing a digital platform for international food-producing companies to market their products to the world. He has also been on or chaired a number of industry groups working with governments, including the Food and Fibre Leaders’ Forum which worked with the Government to put together the partnership programme ‘He Waka Eke Noa’. This work is prioritising initiatives to tackle climate change for the agriculture food and fibre sector. He is on the advisory board of Rimanui Farms, a Spencer family business which owns several big stations such as Lochinver near Taupo and Erewhon near Taihape. He also has an advisory role with a group of listed companies who have joined together to help offset New Zealand’s emissions.
The partnership, known as Dryland Carbon, plants trees on marginal land to enable the partners to meet their obligations under the Emissions Trading Scheme. On top of all that, he and wife Rachael won Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year in 2001, the FMG Rural Excellence Award in 2003 and Mike was awarded the Ravensdown Agricultural Communicator of the year in 2018. He says Hawke’s Bay people are everywhere on the national and international stage prepared to do great things. “Hawke’s Bay people have a history of putting their hands up to do things over and above their day job. “Whenever I am with someone new, I always introduce myself first and foremost as a sheep and beef farmer from Waipukurau; I wear Hawke’s Bay proudly on my sleeve.” The family farm, Te Puna, south of Waipukurau, is a lamb and cattle finishing operation, finishing around 500 cattle and 1000 lambs “if the season allows.” He says the Covid-19 crisis has given New Zealand
a unique opportunity on the global stage to be something truly special. “The agri-food and fibre sector is uniquely placed and will play a crucially important role in leading New Zealand’s recovery from Covid-19. “Getting on top of Covid-19 and almost having Mycoplasma bovis eliminated has enhanced our reputation as a small country for being able to take on difficult challenges and win.”
The Hastings District Council Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Industry Leader award recognises success and a leader who contributes to the overall excellence of Hawke’s Bay. It’s important we recognise leaders in the primary sector who excel at a national and international level, and it’s important to celebrate success with them. The personal contribution of these leaders is immense. The recipient of the industry leader award will have shown huge commitment to Hawke’s Bay and their leadership will have put Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand on the world map. They lead from the front with tenacity and innovation, have an extraordinary vision, and empower their team to achieve great things for Hawke’s Bay. We need people like these to show us what can be achieved, and that Hawke’s Bay can have the world at its feet.
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Scott Small
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passion for wool and teaching young people about its benefits was recognised by the Primary Sector Professional of theYear Award for Scott Small. Scott is Hawke’s Bay store manager for CP Wool based in Hastings. His area runs from Gisborne to Dannevirke. As part of that role he likes to teach at many levels about the wonders of wool. He takes learning modules for young farmers, high schools or the Royal Agricultural Society in special sessions at the Hastings showgrounds. “I love working with high school kids. It’s really cool to see them grow and progress with wool classing and fleece judging as they leave school and go into the farming industry. He has also had teachers into the woolstore to teach them about the industry. He also travels around A&P Shows judging fleece competitions. “I try to promote wool in a positive way. One way to do this is to show the difference between wool and synthetic carpets in a fire. Wool is a fire-retardant natural fibre that New Zealand produces.” He says carpet sellers receive a commission from the makers to promote synthetic carpets. “There is also a lot of misinformation from some animal-welfare organisations about how wool is harvested. “It’s much cheaper and more eco-friendly to produce wool. It should be wool’s turn to shine.” He says CP Wool is working on fibre blends such as hemp and wool and flax and wool to be produced in Christchurch. Scott grew up with the smell of wool and lanolin in his veins. His grandfather was a farmer, his father managed the AWE woolstore in Dannevirke so he was involved and interested in wool from an early age. He said he was “totally shocked to win the award. “Being nominated was a buzz but to win was mind-blowing.”
The Unison Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Professional of the Year
Congratulations to
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his peer-nominated award recognises an individual who provides exceptional professional services to the primary sector, while demonstrating a wider commitment to Hawke’s Bay. Its purpose is to identify, acknowledge and celebrate professionals within Hawke’s Bay who have made an outstanding contribution through their knowledge, skills and application to
Scott Small
Winner of the Unison Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Professional of the Year. The CP Wool team are incredibly proud of your success. Carrfields Primary Wool (CP Wool) is a 50/50 joint venture between Carrfields and Primary Wool Co-operative (PWC), a 100% wool grower owned co-operative.
Talk to your local CP Wool rep about maximising the returns on your wool.
Freephone 0800 276 999 www.cpwool.co.nz
12 Locations across NZ
THE 2020 PRIMARY SECTOR PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER
improve the performance of the primary industries. The recipient of the award will have shown quantifiable achievements through the provision of professional services and would have displayed some or all of the following characteristics: determination and will to succeed, belief in achieving extraordinary things, a willingness to learn, a desire for constant improvement, initiative to purse and idea, working hard and having fun.
Roy Fraser
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oy Fraser was a little confused at winning the Laurie Dowling Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to agriculture. That’s because he donated the award in about 2004 in memory of his friend and business partner Laurie Dowling who died in 2003. He usually presents to award each year so was a little bewildered at finding himself the recipient this year. “I was in shock at receiving it but I appreciate the honour bestowed on me.” Northland-born Roy has been an agricultural consultant in Hawke’s Bay for many years after completing his Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University. After 14 years with the-then Ministry of Agriculture working in Masterton and Taihape he moved to Waipukurau in 1987 to set up the firm of Dowling Fraser and Neilson. The company was bought out in 1995 by Agriculture New Zealand and then PGG Wrightson. He continued to work for them and became manager of their consultancy services, responsible for the southern North Island. In 2007 he was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry management. He says the highlights of his time as a consultant were the Richmond Wrightson deer performance project and its focus on practical solutions, and the highperformance sheep programme. He regards them as ground-breaking in understanding how our farming systems work. ”The biggest kick of my career has been helping farmers achieve their own goals and sharing in their successes. “My job has been working at the leading edge.” His citation says he was highly regarded by his clients for his in-field analysis and practical advice. “He has the ability to get the message of research and its implementation onfarm, across to farmers in a down-to-earth and readily understood manner.” He was instrumental in having feed budgeting and planning accepted and is remembered for his assistance and
leadership during the droughts of the 1980s. The monitor farm programme has benefited from his input and he has played a role in the analysis of entrants for the Farmer of the Year. Facilitating the winners’ field days is another of his jobs. He has not yet retired and keeps busy with some consultancy work. His long and deep involvement with the Waipukurau Rotary Club now keeps him busy. He is chair of the Rotary River Pathways Trust which is developing biking and mountain biking tracks around Central Hawke’s Bay.
The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council recently received a sizable grant from the Provincial Growth Fund to go
towards developing what Roy says will be a tourist attraction for the area.
Laurie Dowling Memorial Award This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to agriculture in Hawke’s Bay. The Laurie Dowling Memorial is presented to a person who has largely gone
unrecognised for their commitment and dedication to the industry, and who works or gives their time to the betterment of the food and fibre sector within Hawke’s Bay.
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Megan Hassall This year’s recipient of the Lawson Robinson Scholarship is Megan Hassall who is currently in her fifth and final year studying for a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at Massey University in Palmerston North. Megan’s family have always been involved in farming and Megan was raised on a farm which gave her a passion for agriculture and animals. “I was born in Akitio just out of Dannevirke then moved to Wairoa, where my parents still run a sheep and beef farm. I was three when we moved there and my family have lived there since. Both my Mum and my Dad are from Canterbury originally,” she says. When Megan discovered she’d been awarded the scholarship she was surprised. “I applied thinking that I’d give it a shot but didn’t have expectations of getting an interview let alone being awarded the scholarship.” “Our fifth year of study is all practical and involves a lot of travel as we go to different clinics to get hands on experience and to look at areas where we may potentially like to work. We don’t get a lot of holiday to work and earn some money, so the
scholarship will go towards funding some travel and accommodation for this, as well as some professional attire and that sort of thing. “ It was a fairly logical progression for Megan to move from a farming background to study veterinary science. “I have always wanted to be involved in farming and have a great love of animals so Vet combines those two things. The further through my studies I have gotten the more I have enjoyed it. I love working with farmers and enjoy getting out on farm. I also enjoy vet because it is a challenge and you are doing something different every day, she says. Megan is about to finish her degree and has found employment in a rural mixed animal practice in the King Country. After working in New Zealand for a few years she anticipates travelling overseas as a locum to get that “out of her system.” She’s also interested in deer and large animal surgery as well so it’s possible she might undertake more study in those areas. “But really it just depends what opportunities come my way. Who knows where I’ll end up!”
The Lawson Robinson Scholarship
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he Lawson Robinson Scholarship aims to recognise outstanding academic and leadership qualities in a student currently enrolled in a full time primary industries programme at a New Zealand university. Recipients of the scholarship receive $3,000 payable towards their course fees. Recipients must be full time students enrolled in a programme related to land based production industries at Graduate or Post Graduate level.
Promoting Business Excellence in Hawke’s Bay and the Primary Sector
73 Raffles Street, Napier 4110 PO Box 45, Napier 4140 P 06 833 5012 F 06 833 5014 www.lawsonrobinson.co.nz
Preference is given to applicants who are within one year of completing their studies. The recipient will have a familial association with Hawke’s Bay and is, or has been involved in the practical aspects of the primary sector. The criteria for selection is based on leadership potential and academic merit. It is hoped that the scholarship recipients will ultimately seek employment in Hawke’s Bay and pass on the benefits of their learning to the Hawke’s Bay community and its industries.
Rural Directions Hawke’s Bay Shepherd of the Year Finalists CALEB HIGGS
DANIEL HALL-FIELD
JAMES CRYSELL
I work at Hukanui Station, a high country sheep and beef farm in Puketitiri, which is located just under the Kaweka Ranges. Career wise in the next five years I would first like to get my level 5 in Animal Management within the next three years. This will help me reach my goal of being a stock manager/manager on a commercial sheep and beef farm. What I love most about my job is working outside and working with my dogs. In terms of involvement with the community I’m a volunteer fireman with the Puketitiri Rural Fire Force and I also help out at local dog trial events.
I’m currently working for Horizon Farming at Taurapa Station, 15 minutes east of Havelock North: a 1800 ha sheep/beef breeding/finishing hill country property. My career goals in the next five years are: to work towards a farm manager’s job in a large-scale operation. I also aim to finish all progeny born on farm. I enjoy the outdoors - you can’t beat a good sunrise! Even the odd frost isn’t too bad. I enjoy the stock side and seeing stock perform well is very satisfying. Getting the dogs out to the odd dog trial and helping out at the local dog trials, is good fun too. I’m fairly new to Hawke’s Bay, but I used to be part of the Puketoi Young Farmers Club and the footy club. I was always keen to help out with any events the club was hosting or attending.
I’m a permanent casual on three farms in the Puketapu area and would like to progress to a senior shepherd position and complete a Diploma in Agribusiness Management. My longer term goal is to be a farm manager on a cadetship farm. I love the shepherd’s life as no two days are the same. There’s plenty to do and much to learn. I also love working and training my dogs and being outdoors. I’ve been involved with the New Zealand’s Young Farmers for several years: I was chairman of the Ashley Clinton/Norsewood Club and spent two years as the Regional Health and Safety officer for East Coast Young Farmers. Now I’m a member of the Eskview Young Farmers Club. I attend meetings of the local monitor farm in Patoka, where I enjoy learning, contributing, and sharing experiences with other local farmers.
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he Rural Directions Hawke’s Bay Shepherd of the Year Award was created to showcase the up and coming talent and future leaders of the food and fibre industry. This award will be presented to an individual that shows drive, leadership, community involvement and a strong
understanding of their on-farm systems and applications. Anyone working on farm within the Hawke’s Bay region that holds a Shepherding job title is eligible to enter. This year’s applicants were representative of the very high calibre of shepherds in Hawke’s Bay and we will continue to build
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the profile of the award in the coming years to attract more of the same. The winner will be recognised as a future leader of our industry, who is also helping to raise the profile of shepherding in Hawke’s Bay as a great career option. We want our Shepherds to be proud and
stand tall; because today’s Shepherds are tomorrow’s Managers. We look forward to joining you at the Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year Field Day where we will announce the winner of the Rural Directions HB Shepherd of the Year Award.
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