HB Today - Napier Port Primary Sector Awards 2022 by NZME.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR 2022 WINNERS

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Champions recognised across food and fibre sector W inners of the Napier Port Primary Sector Awards were announced and celebrated for their outstanding successes at a sell-out awards dinner at the Tomoana Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay. The champions across the eight categories were recognised for their significant contribution, innovation, leadership and successes of the food and fibre sector. The Napier Port Primary Sector Awards are organised by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society. Acting General Manager, Isabelle Crawshaw stated “As a society we are proud to own and manage these awards. They have become a pinnacle event within the region for the sector and have a huge importance in recognising and celebrating the successes of those contributing to the industry.” “Awards such as these articulate the story of excellence within rural New Zealand and celebrate success, business innovation and growth. The winners for 2022 represent a wide range of the primary sector and are making an immense contribution to the growth and success of the industry, not only within Hawke’s Bay but across the country and putting our region on the global stage.”

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 National Horticulture Field Days in June, the Hawke’s Bay A&P Bayley’s Wine Awards in November and the annual Hawke’s Bay A&P Show in October. Event Manager Samantha Greene commented “These awards would not be possible without the significant contribution from our sponsor family and a dedicated Napier Port Primary Sector Awards Committee. We are grateful for their on-going support and being a sell-out awards dinner for the third year in a row is a testament to how well recognised these awards are for our region”. The field days for the Silver Fern Farms Farmer of the Year and Pan Pac Farm Forester of the Year will be held later in the year and it will be fantastic to see the farming community turn out to these once again to view the winning properties for 2022.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL NAPIER PORT HAWKES BAY PRIMARY SECTOR AWARDS RECIPIENTS FOR 2022 ANZ is proud to recognise the following winners: Hugh Abiss and Sally Terry – SFF Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year Steve Wyn-Harris – Laurie Dowling Memorial Award

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WE’RE CONNECTING HAWKE’S BAY TO THE WORLD, HELPING TO BUILD A THRIVING REGION EXPORTING OUR PREMIUM PRIMARY PRODUCE The Napier Port Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Awards are an opportunity for us all to celebrate and honour the hard work and commitment of our region’s primary sector heroes. Congratulations to all the winners on the night. We’re proud to partner with the A&P Society to encourage innovation and sustainability and celebrate those at the leading edge of the industry. We’re also excited to ofﬁcially open our new 350-metre 6 Wharf on 22 July 2022. 6 Wharf will future-proof Napier Port and allow us to support the needs of our customers, our community and our region today and well into the future. Once fully operational, 6 Wharf will help to alleviate ongoing shipping disruption and supply chain congestion across New Zealand. The new berth is set to provide increased shipping capacity, improve the availability and operational performance across all of our wharves, and ultimately boost productivity for many of Napier Port’s customers.

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50th year for Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year award T his year marks the 50th year of the Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of theYear award and Silver Fern Farms has been sponsoring the event now for 34 years. Entrants across all categories have represented some of the finest primary producers in the country and produce some of the highest quality food and fibre to be found anywhere in the world. Congratulations go to Hugh Abbiss who is the Farm Manager at Totara Hills Farm (Peak Group) and who won the Hawkes Bay Farmer of the Year award for this year. For the second year running, farming in extreme circumstances was a reality for many Hawke’s Bay farm owners and managers. How the finalists navigated this crisis was of significant interest to the judges. The judges travelled throughout the Hawkes Bay region, viewing some outstanding properties and operators, and the high standard viewed across all farms made for a close fought competition. Setting the winner apart from the other finalists, was Hugh’s clear passion for constant improvement, the examples of environmental stewardship in place across the property, and the exceptional financial planning and monitoring. Totara Hills supplies Silver Fern Farms their cattle and are part of the wider Peak Group. Other properties that are part of the Peak Group are Mount View Farms in Pahiatua and Waewaepa Station in Dannevirke which also supply Silver Fern Farms. It is also important to acknowledge the context in which the whole farming sector has operated in this year. Given the last few years, it feels like a cliché to say that the sector is still facing into some unprecedented challenges, but the reality is that it’s true. Whether it’s been flooding, or the longer processing season we’ve experienced, 2022 has presented as many if not more challenges as the seasons before. Whether they were a finalist in these Awards or not, our local

farmers deserve acknowledgment for what they’ve done. These Awards are an important opportunity to showcase the best of New Zealand farming to the rest of the country, and the world. Silver Fern Farms is not just an exporter - we are a marketer as well. Modern consumers are telling us they want to know more about the products they are eating. It is not just about taste or price anymore, our customers are telling us they want

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 34 years. Congratulations to our 2022 winner Hugh Abbiss. www.silverfernfarms.com

to know more about the farms and the farmers behind the produce as well. At Silver Fern Farms, we see ourselves as telling our farmer’s story through our products, and these Awards are an important way of showcasing who we are and what we do. We’re also proud to be a part of the Hawke’s Bay, and we’re going to continue investing in the region to ensure we can continue our success going forward. Silver Fern Farms is one of the largest employers in the region. In the last year

we paid over $85 million in wages and salaries to some 1,000 staff. We work with over 6000 vendors as part of our local supply chain. We’re also really proud to partner with around 2,000 local farmers. Red meat is important part of this local economy, and last year we paid $430 million in livestock payments, all of which ﬂow back through our local towns and communities. Congratulations once again to Hugh Abbiss and to all ﬁnalists, and good luck for the year ahead.

Growth mindset pays dividends T he supreme Hawke’s Bay Farming trophy, the Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of theYear was awarded to Hugh Abbiss ofTotara Hills Station,Tikokino. Hugh accepted the award alongside his partner Sally Terry. This was the first time the couple had entered and they were surprised, and didn’t believed they’d won, especially on their first attempt. Hugh said it had taken a while for the news to “sink in” and it was a humbling experience. It had been a joint goal to enter but they hadn’t expected success quite so soon. The Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year Judges reported that despite farming in extreme circumstances was a reality for many over the last two years, how the finalists navigated this crisis was of significant interest to the judges as they visited the properties. The judges also commented that “setting Hugh apart from the other finalists was his clear passion for constant improvement, the examples of environmental stewardship in place across the property, and the exceptional financial planning and monitoring.” The judges noted this was a real pleasure to witness. “Hugh has a growth mindset by way of constant internal analysis with the aim of a 10% return on capital whilst being sustainable and repeatable. “ “Livestock policies are based on buying on the low and selling on the high, whilst growing as much feed as possible and converting it at the highest possible value.” Hugh, 30, grew up on his parents, Mike and Donna Abbiss’ sheep, beef and cropping farm in the Manawatu. They are third and fourth generation farmers so it’s little surprise Hugh followed in his forbears footsteps. “I guess you could say it’s all I ever wanted to do. I never planned on doing anything else,” he says. Running was a big part of his life when he was growing up and Hugh did a fair bit of long distance running in his teens and early 20s. He has completed 10 full marathons, the last being in 2021, although he admits running doesn’t factor strongly in life now.

Hugh attended Lincoln University from 2011-2013 and gained a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture. Sally, also from a farming family in King Island, Tasmania, attended Lincoln University but Hugh graduated the year she started. Having arrived in 2013 on a future leadership scholarship Sally also graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture and loved New Zealand. The couple met when Sally moved to the district about ﬁve-years-ago with her job as Agri-Relationship Manager with ANZ covering the Tararua district. She works full time but the farm is a life commitment for them both. “It absorbs us every day of the year,” Hugh says. Sally gets involved at the weekends. After graduating Hugh worked for about 18 months at Forest Creek Station in the Upper Rangitata in the South Island. Hugh

then spent four years working for Foley Farming Enterprises in Takapau. Then the couple travelled overseas and later Hugh worked on the family farm. He joined Totara Hills Station, in July 2019 as farm manager. They’d like to thank: Michael RittsonThomas for the opportunity, our team onfarm and Hugh’s family. “There are a lot of people involved with this place.” “We have a fantastic team of amazing staff: Lou who is second in charge, Fred, a Fencer General and Kevin who is a General and a recent addition, Hugh says. All the staff live on the farm and the couple treat them all like family. Fostering a family culture is important to both Sally and Hugh and the working arrangements are ﬂexible and tailored to suit each employee’s personal life.

There’s a massive team of service providers, too many to name. The key ones are stock agents and agronomists. Relationships are a huge part of the business. Hugh talks to peers, family and other young farmers who are doing similar things. “We’ve got a really strong network of like-minded friends that we talk to a lot. “I’ve always had a passion but it’s just a constant desire to learn. Whether its carrot seed or dairy cows it doesn’t really matter. I think that a growth and a learning mindset offers up so many opportunities because you’re always looking for something.” Obviously Michael is involved with major decisions and is kept well informed but Hugh knows that he trusts what they do and the analysis they undertake to ensure the operation is going to be proﬁtable and sustainable.

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Hugh enjoys numbers” but it’s the ability to combine the numbers with the execution out in the paddock.” He frequently uses Excel spreadsheets. Hugh is still very hand-on when it comes to the farm and probably spends 80% on farm and the remainder, often during the evening, in the ofﬁce. Innovation too is a large part of the business. Hugh is constantly trying new things. He studies, researches and talks to people before “crunching the numbers and coming up with a plan on how to

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introduce the new concept. Some things work, some don’t.” Hugh is also very focused on system integration. That’s how things fit together to make the whole farm system really efficient. “One of the key benefits we get is the integration of livestock and cropping”. For example, “When we plant a crop like barley or wheat we harvest grain and straw for a profit, which is then followed by 1-2 years of livestock forage crops i.e. new grass and brassica which will then lead into another cash crop. It’s

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integrated. It’s not new but we are doing it on scale.” Integration also involves nutrient management too, as some cash crops they take nutrient away whereas livestock return nutrients. “It’s all about protecting the soil. You don’t want to be degrading the environment; it’s got to be able to be performed year on year.” Naturally there are challenges and also opportunities. Climate variability is such a factor that means adapting to market signals in terms of where they can see value. Their policies are agile and ﬂexible.

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Congratulations to Hugh Abbiss, farm manager for our client Totara Hills, for winning the 2022 Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year award.

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“It’s a blend of core policy alongside seeking opportunities that may present themselves or trying something new. At the moment I’m enjoying the integration with the dairy industry- supplying cows and feed.” As a high achiever Hugh has been a regional ﬁnalist in the Young Farmers Hawke’s Bay East Coast competition. He has recently taken up the chair of the arable division of Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay. Relaxation is somewhat of a foreign concept although Hugh plays community sport: touch rugby, hockey, netball and tennis in nearby Waipukurau. “We value our community involvement and that’s

around social sport. They aim to have one or two holidays a year. The couple recommend entering the Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year saying that one of the biggest beneﬁts was “the internal reﬂection on what we’ve done, especially putting our submission together, reviewing goals and reviewing how we’re tracking, it’s a positive challenge. Whether you win or not is irrelevant. It’s all about the process.” “We do enjoy what we do, it’s not really a job, we enjoy the challenges. We set ourselves goals and try and be better,” Hugh says.

Congratulations to Hugh, Sally and their team on their win from all of us at Ridgeline Fencing

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Proud to be associated with Totara Hills and congratulations on a very well deserved win as The Silver Fern Farms Hawkes Bay Farmer of the Year!

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Details 18,000 lambs fattened 2,000 breeding ewes 150-170ha ha cash cropping- barley, wheat, peas, carrot seed, maize silage. 300 carry over dairy cows 500 cattle fattened for trading (depending on the season)

The Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year Field Day date will be held Thursday 29 September 2022 Samantha Greene reported “it will be an outstanding day out providing an opportunity for the community to view the award-winning management of Hugh Abbiss.”

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Humble winner thankful for help along the way T he Horticentre Hawke’s Bay Horticulturalist of theYear is Jimmie Egan, pipfruit division manager for Apatu Farms. Jimmie has worked in the horticulture sector – both pipfruit and stonefruit – in Hawke’s Bay for 22 years. He has been with Apatu Farms for four years, managing the pip fruit division over multiple sites developing outstanding apple orchards with impressive production and presentation. The judges said Jimmie has an ongoing focus and passion for striving for excellence and challenging the norm to receive stronger results. They noted the future of cutting-edge horticulture was in good hands with Jimmie. “We’re using a different growing system compared to everyone else,” Jimmie explains. “We’ve started from scratch and adapted to 2D plantings in Hawke’s Bay. Undertaking this latest project has given me the opportunity to set goals and standards for an industry I love, and

local native plants to enhance our environment Congratulations on your success Steve! www.planthawkesbay.co.nz

CONGRATULATIONS Jimmie Egan from Apatu Farms Ltd 2022 Hawke’s Bay Hor‚culturist of the Year

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deﬁnitely starting a new system with challenging varieties and really trying to put those all into one component has been a challenge but very rewarding.” Jimmie says he’s been fortunate to have inspirational people around him since he left school early. “I took an orchard job to earn some money, then really started to see the beneﬁts of an industry I have grown to love. From there I have clawed my way to where I sit today and it’s humbling to get an award like this. I am very honoured.” He wants to thank some of those who had helped enhance his skillset and advance his career. “None of it would be possible without my wife Kim and our two boys, Logan and Reuben. Kim always taught me from day

one, ‘pretend it’s yours’, and I’ve never forgotten it. It has deﬁnitely worked. “I’d also especially like to thank my ﬁrst boss, Bryan Rich. He taught me everything I needed to know to start my career off with, then other employers Dave Wright and Len Thompson, amongst others, who taught me a lot and helped me in my career.” He had a special thank you to his friend Vaughan, who is also his Fruitfed rep. “You’ve been a brother to me and supported me through thick and thin. I really appreciate that. “Thank you to my current team – Greg, Jason and Chris – they have been right behind me and we share a common goal. This award is as much theirs as it is mine. Thank you also to general manager Tim

Agnew and owners Mark and Paul Apatu – they’ve looked out for me and helped me grow as a leader. I’m grateful; Mark and Paul have entrusted me with such a valuable asset and have really beneﬁted my career both in their teaching and their support for what I’m doing. I have really grown as both a grower and a leader under their guidance.”

Apatu Farms Pip Fruit covers about 135 hectares throughout Hawke’s Bay with further development of 45ha planned over the next two years. The company employs 17 permanent staff and more than 100 seasonal staff. The company started in 1966 and its new pipfruit division was developed in July 2018.

Horticentre Trust Hawke’s Bay Horticulturist of the Year The HorticentreTrust Hawke’s Bay Horticulturalist of theYear 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, lessees and managers based in Hawke’s Bay.

EIT|Te Pūkenga helps the region’s primary sector thrive

he food and ﬁbre industry is fundamental to New Zealand. Over 70 percent of export receipts come from horticulture, agriculture, and forestry. EIT and all other polytechnics are transitioning to become part of Te Pūkenga – the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, where they will be joined with the Primary ITO and most

other Industry Training Organisation. Bringing together the best of in-work, off -job and online learning, Te Pūkenga will be New Zealand largest education provider with regional and national reach to meet the training requirements of our nations primary sector employers and learners. The School of Primary Industries at EIT|Te Pūkenga actively promotes innovation and development within the

O SU PP O RT EIT IS PRO U D T E FI ELD DAY TH E H O RTICU LTU R One of the priorities of EIT | Te Pūkenga is to work closely with industry and communities in Hawke’s Bay. EIT | Te Pūkenga plays a pivotal role in equipping students with high-quality skills and knowledge in order to contribute to Hawke’s Bay’s booming food and fibre industry. Hawke’s Bay growing industries need skilled workers, and EIT | Te Pūkenga offers the necessary qualifications to help the region and its people thrive. Thanks to active collaboration, the School of Primary Industries at EIT | Te Pūkenga continues to develop innovative programmes, provide students with real-work experience and get them ready to work.

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primary sector to ensure the industry remains world-class. The sponsorship of the Horticulture Field Day allows EIT|Te Pūkenga to support the collaboration between the Horticulturist of the Year award winners and people working in the industry. New Zealand’s fast-changing economy demands well-trained workers as well as creative and critical thinkers.

The industry-experienced tutors at EIT|Te Pūkenga grow students to be work-ready and foster a spirit of lifelong learning. Students gain transferable knowledge and hands-on skills while making industry connections to futureproof their career. The institute’s priorities are to ensure graduates can be of value to their employer, and provide further education to those wanting to advance their careers.

From left to right: Jimmie Egan and Chris Herries from Horticentre Trust

Steve achieved his vision O ne man’s passion has left a stamp on a Waipukurau sheep and beef farm. Steve Treseder has been named the 2022 Pan Pac Farm Forester of the Year – he has been managing the Nisbett Estate property, Taumata, on Te Awa Road, for 33 years. The judges said Steve treats the 247ha farm with a level of dedication and care that is to be admired, and the farm was carbon positive in a time when many fellow farmers are recognising their future will and should include this type of agroforestry. “We’re actually twice carbon neutral,” Steve explains further. He says the win was a buzz for him and a buzz for the owners and he is extremely grateful for the support of the owners. “It’s more aesthetically pleasing and more ﬁnancially viable, not to mention a nicer place to be on a hot summer day, or in the middle of a cold sou-easter.” There are no remaining original native areas on the farm but 3500 native plants were planted in 2017-2018, mainly for shelter, and another 2500 native trees are being planted this year mainly around dams and water ways.

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Up to 300 poplar and willow poles are planted most years to curb erosion of the coastal clay country. There are three pine blocks – 2.93ha, 4.62ha and 2.23ha – planted in the 1990s, recently harvested and now on their second rotation. Another 0.78ha block was planted in 2003 in a variety of timber trees including walnut, redwood, douglas ﬁr, and acacia. The farm will also soon be home to a duck hide/house made from macrocarpa grown and milled on the farm. “It’s a cool little project; a work in progress.” Steve has planted for timber, shade and shelter, erosion control, and aesthetics – creating a park-like mix of poplars, willows, pines and other timber species, alongside stunning native shelterbelts reducing the risk of damage from extreme weather events. The farm has a 50:50 sheep to cattle ratio. They buy bulls at 200kg and kill two years later and the sheep ﬂock has changed to Kelso Genetics. Steve says he farms the property like it’s his own. “I have had so much job satisfaction. I had a vision of where I wanted to see the farm go and I’ve been allowed to achieve that vision,” he says. He manages the farm for Nisbett Taumata Estate Limited which is owned by three of the four daughters of the late Joyce and Donald Nisbett – Sue Nisbett, Barbara Laracy and Jill Morley. The farm was settled as a ballot block in the early 1950s, and single

shepherds were employed to run it after Donald died in 1966. Steve grew up on a family farm at Crownthorpe, where he worked after leaving school. He shepherded on Matipiro and Haupouri stations, and for Jeremy Smith at Waiwhare. Other jobs included shearing, working for a hay baling contractor, driving harvesters in America, lambing in England and farming in Australia, before landing the job with the Nisbetts at Taumata in 1988. Steve was unable to attend the awards dinner, and two of the three sisters accepted the award on his behalf. They said he was “forward thinking” and they were “so lucky to have him”. Steve and his wife Juliann have two adult daughters Phoebe and Lucy. The Treseders also own 125ha under their own name and separate to Taumata, and Steve runs balage contracting business, Minibales Hawke’s Bay.

The Pan Pac Farm Forester of the Year Field Day is Thursday 17 November 2022. Photo credit: Kate Taylor

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Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is proud to sponsor the Napier Port Primary Sector Awards

ANZCO Foods is proud to partner with you

Rere tonu ana te auaha is the key to success F ounder ofTrue Honey Co. Jim McMillan felt proud and honoured to be awarded the Bayleys Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Innovation Award but credits the whole team. A relatively new company that started selling honey online in 2016, True Honey Co. now employs 50 Fulltime equivalent staff in Ahuriri, Ongaonga and Dannevirke. True Honey Co. produces arguably the world’s best Mānuka Honey. They specialise in every aspect of the supply chain from the harvesting through to the distribution and marketing of the finished product. The judges were impressed with Jim’s well thought out and well considered presentation remarking on his passion for the industry and primary sector in general. Attention to detail was another factor highlighted but the major influencing factor in the judges decision was how the company handled innovation, especially during Covid. Unable to visit customers, or have customers visit them during Covid the company set about bringing to reality a 360 degree VR experience based on the concept of Global Business Development Manager Jane Willersdorf. The virtual reality masterpiece #HiveFlight showcases some of New Zealand’s most rugged back country and pristine locations with Jim at the controls of a helicopter, and highlights the process The Honey Co. takes to produce high grade honey. # Hiveflight was developed with founder and director Dan Browne of Indelible Creative Studio, who helped turn the idea into a reality for the brand. When travel restrictions were lifted the full, immersive experience, along with VR headsets, was taken by the team in January to the Expo in Dubai, Oman and Saudi Arabia where it was shared with existing and potential customers. True Honey Co. has a strong customer base in Saudi Arabia and other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. Harrods and Selfridges in London are also clients. The Honey Co. worked with Harrods on a joint collaboration which saw a limited edition honey (1900+ MGO Rare Harvest Mānuka Honey- 230g) retailing for NZ $5,000 per jar.

The company only sells New Zealand Mānuka honey rated 300 MGO and above and every batch is independently tested. An agricultural pilot by trade and service provider for agricultural sector Jim spent plenty of time flying the length and breadth of the North Island and noticed significant stands of Mānuka. Originally he was looking for more helicopter work during the summer and approached some beekeepers to see if there was any interest. It was a lack of interest that inspired Jim to buy 200 hives and hire a beekeeper. The beekeeping base is at Ongaonga, where beekeepers manage “the livestock” to ensure they are healthy, strong, being fed and built to maximum strength so they will be producing well leading up to Mānuka flowering in warmer summer months. “We place our hives in remote locations deep in New Zealand’s beautiful backcountry. To avoid damaging these

precious native ecosystems, we fly them in and out by helicopter,” Jim says. “Finding the best Mānuka bush means building solid, long-term partnerships with farmers, Iwi and the New Zealand Department of Conservation.” It’s a short flowering season for Mānuka: only 4-6 weeks a year and hive removal starts near the end of the flowering season to avoid the honey being diluted by other nectar sources. Once the flowering season is over and the hives are retrieved they are sent to the state-of-the art honey factory at Oringi

where they are left to mature, the honey is extracted and sent to a laboratory for independent testing. Each batch of honey is minimally processed, packed and checked before being shipped around the world. Rere tonu ana te auaha “continuous innovation” is a core value of The True Honey Co. and staff are encouraged to share ideas and push the boundaries of what is possible. The future looks encouraging with further opportunities to diversify markets and products around the world.

The Bayleys Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Innovation Award The Bayleys Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Innovation Award identifies those in Hawke’s Bay who have made a significant contribution to improve the performance of the primary industries.The award will recognise and celebrate innovation in farming, fisheries, horticulture, forestry, applied agricultural research and the companies that service those sectors.

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Continuous change a key driver Gerard Hickey, Greg Evans and Jason Ross F irst Light calls itself a small New Zealand company quietly changing the world. Its founders say stubbornness and being different are important traits; add innovation to the mix, and it’s a winner. The First Light founders are Gerard Hickey, Greg Evans and Jason Ross alongside their wives Shiree Hickey and Sarah Ross, who all work in the business, plus Jacqui Evans. It all started with venison in 2003 and in 2010, after a long trial period, grass-fed wagyu was added to the portfolio. Gerard says one of their biggest drivers was – and still is – to create change. He felt a quote at a recent conference summed up the First Light’s approach: that innovation came from early adoption, de-commoditization, and collaboration. “In essence, we left mainstream meat industry companies 18 years ago to create change and to shake the tree. Yes ﬁnancial gain is always in the mix, but actually, it was the fun of improving the model; that hasn’t stopped.” Initially called Pipeline – a link between consumers and market – the company was then branded as First Light. At the time, Jason was selling meat globally from London and Greg and Gerard were working for then-Bernard Matthews in Waipukurau. One of the top pieces of advice they received along the way was from their long-time mentor John Loughlin about drawing an ultimate value chain from grower to consumer. “Once we had world beating farmers and customers we focused on making sure all steps in between were collaborative and as efﬁcient as possible.” Similarly First Light’s go-direct strategy is about not giving away margins to importers, brokers and distributors, but also gives it the ability to tell its own story. “The big guys have 40,000 SKUs to sell [stock keeping units] and so your story never gets told; we had to take over the communications so our consumers knew the 100% grass-fed and antibiotic-

free story behind our wagyu steaks and venison.” Change is continuous. An in-house dairy team has replaced a contract with LIC to produce dairy-cross calves, the company’s sales team has moved from Hawke’s Bay to the west coast of the United States, and the First Light supply focus has changed from volume growth, to fewer, committed farmers for whom welfare and environment are paramount. Innovation is still key. “There’s an exciting push in what we call the ﬁfth quarter, which is the name given to all the non-meat parts of an animal – leathers, pet food, collagen powders. We have a hairy, audacious goal to create as much value in those parts as the value of the meat, which today, is probably 90/10. It’s really upping the ante.”

A digital focus is next with e-commerce channels and home delivery options opening new doors. After two decades, First Light now has venison and beef products in 700

supermarkets around the world. Its US Steak Club has 1000 ‘high net worth’ members and the First Light brand is exclusive supplier of six Los Angeles restaurants.

Hastings District Council Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Industry Leader award recognises outstanding leadership within the primary sector while demonstrating a wider commitment to Hawke’s Bay. This person, or persons, will have signiﬁcantly contributed to the primary sector through innovation, determination, growth and leadership to the primary sector industry and is seen as a ‘primary sector’ ﬁgurehead.

It’s all about enduring relationships R ichard Hilson wasn’t expecting to be named as the recipient of the Unison Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector professional of the year and says he “got a hell of a fright,” although receiving the award was “nice, really nice.” His career as a vet began in a mixed practice clinic in late 1989 in North Canterbury, where he quickly found his feet in practice and established relationships with the local farming community and clients. Richard returned to Hawke’s Bay in 1991 after an approach by Vet Services co-founder and then managing director Bert Middelberg. Karen Middelberg, Bert’s daughter and Richard’s wife, is also a vet and the couple were in the same class at Massey University. Farming is basically in Richard’s blood as his grandfather started farming in the Takapau district in 1950 and Richards parents farmed up near the ranges. The family ran sheep studs, farmed deer and cattle. “For a lot of my early life I wanted to be a farmer,” but his folks persuaded him to pursue a career as a vet rather than a farmer. When he started working at Vet Services Richard “did a bit of everything to start with including small animals but after a while I ended up gravitating to sheep, beef and deer work. In a business like that you’re able to follow what you’re passionate about and with the people you get on with,” he says. He went on to become Senior Veterinarian, a Vet Services Director and General Manager before retiring at the end of November 2020 after over 30 years-service. In 2015 Richard received the Alan Baldry Award, which is presented each year to recognize signiﬁcant veterinary service to the NZ sheep and beef cattle industries. Karen and Richard started running Jedburgh Farm in Takapau in 1998 so it was a busy time for them both. They also raised three children; Rebecca, Matt and Jonty who are all following careers outside of the primary sector. The couple now farm 220ha in Takapau and 580ha in Hatuma. They run 2,500 ewes, ﬁnish all the lambs, rear 1500 deer,

ﬁnish the offspring, maintain a velvet herd and run 3-400 cattle, mainly trading stock. While the venison business has been a bit tough since Covid, overall it’s a good mix. The majority of Richard’s work at Vet Services involved sheep and deer before he took on a managerial position. Naturally over 30 years there have been changes in veterinary science with ultrasound scanning for hinds, ewes and cows helping lift performance. He feels that there has been little in the way of true innovation in animal treatments in the last 10-15 years. “No one’s really innovating, just copying.” The introduction of computerization has also massively impacted on the service vets are able to give to their customers. “It’s also another way to get to know your clients and form enduring relationships.” Both Karen and the late Bert have had a hugely positive impact on Richard.

Karen’s been a great support (‘behind every good man is a great woman”) and Bert was a good boss. “He had heaps of integrity and professionalism and set very high standards. I modelled myself on Bert. He taught me how to work hard and to keep going until you’ve ﬁnished the job.” Somewhat perversely, the standout aspect of over thirty years in practice wasn’t the animals – it was the people. Richard believes that the best thing about being a vet was actually helping people. “Helping people with their animals,

infrastructure- yards, facilities, just helping people who are in a bit of a pickle. You know you’ve made a difference, that’s all you need to know.” Richard has just taken on a new role as Chairperson of the Smedley Station Advisory Board and instigated the formation of a river catchment group, along with other local farmers. The aim is to establish a Tukituki-wide catchment group. Meanwhile both Karen and Richard enjoy farming and having a little more social time. “We both miss practice. Vet Services is just awesome.”

The Unison Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Professional of the year Unison Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Professional of theYear is a peer nominated award which recognizes an individual providing professional services to the primary sector in addition to taking into account a wider commitment to Hawke’s Bay.The award is open to any professional who is providing services to improve the economic, social and sustainability of the Hawke’s Bay primary industries.

THUMBSUPTO OURFARMERS ANDGROWERS.

CONGRATULATIONS

R RICHARD I HILSON

CONGRATULATIONSTO HUGHABBISSOFTOTARA HILLS

THE E 2022 PRIMARY SECTOR PROFESSIONAL P OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER

Winners of the Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year award 2022. 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

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Signiﬁcant contribution to agriculture recognised T he Laurie Dowling Memorial Award is all about contribution to agriculture in Hawke’s Bay, and Steve Wyn-Harris has done that in spades. His farming career started with 180 hectares near Takapau after graduating from Lincoln in 1985. Steve and wife Jane now farm 360ha with 320ha in pasture and the balance in forestry, tree crops and shelter. Bull beef makes up 40% of the stock carried, alongside his Marlow Hill Coopworth sheep stud. About a decade ago they harvested their ﬁrst pinus radiata plantations, one of which he planted himself as a teenager for his father. Noone’s counting, but he’s probably planted more than 100,000 trees in his farming career. As well as farming full time, Steve is a familiar name in agricultural media circles. He has written his weekly column, ‘From the Ridge’ for more than a quarter of a century, originally with the old NZ Farmer and Straight Furrow newspapers and now with Farmer’s Weekly. He does a regular slot on the nationwide The Country radio show and has hosted his own Cockies Hour on Central FM (106.5FM) since 1998. He took his support of the local radio station a step further – buying it with business partners in April 2020 just before the world shut down with the global pandemic. Steve also has a six-weekly slot on Jesse Mulligan’s radio show on RNZ in a segment called ‘Solving the World’s Problems’. “That’s the best thing I do because it’s an opportunity to talk to Auckland. With all the other things I do, I’m talking to people who see the world like I do; I’m talking to the converted. I’m not paid to do it, but it’s great chance to advocate on behalf of our sector. That’s something I’m particularly proud of.” Marlow Hill is used as a ‘show farm’ to promote a positive view of NZ agriculture with visits from the likes of foreign journalists, supermarket meat importers, and politicians. “Again, it’s an opportunity to get alongside decision makers and show them the realities of farming, and how, as a sector, we are working towards making

the world a better place. It takes time, commitment and comes with a cost but we will get there.” Steve says he’s honoured to win the award, not just because of the work done by farm consultants like the late Laurie Dowling, but also because of the calibre of the people who have previously won the award. “It’s humbling to be in that sort of company.” But Steve and Jane have their own strong history in agricultural awards, including the Hawke’s Bay Farmer and Farm Forester of the Year titles and a number of other regional farming and environmental awards. They won the inaugural East Coast Ballance Farm

Environment Awards in 2011 and he now chairs its regional management committee. The 2014 Sheep Industry Awards recognised Steve’s individual contribution to the sheep industry.

Steve is a former director of Landcorp and Farmlands. Marlow Hill was a monitor farm in the early 2000s, which involved technology transfer to fellow farmers. Steve and Jane have three adult sons – Jason, Hugh and Matt.

Laurie Dowling Memorial Award The Laurie Dowling Memorial Award is presented to an outstanding individual who has contributed signiﬁcantly through their work or voluntarily for the betterment of agriculture within the Hawke’s Bay Region.This is in keeping with the ideals of the late Laurie Dowling who was a man of the land and passionate about the primary sector in Hawke’s Bay. He worked unselﬁshly to advance farming throughout his consultancy career.

Anna Kelland is a chemist at heart A nna Kelland is “super stoked and grateful” to receive the Lawson Robinson Hawke’s Bay scholarship. “It’s an honour to be considered on the same level as the previous recipients as well.” The scholarship of $3000 will help Anna not only cover course fees, but her external study with WSET, and accessing viticulture journals. “It also makes the idea of doing a Masters overseas in the future less ﬁnancially daunting,” she says. Other than her grandfather growing up on an orchard in Clive, Anna is the ﬁrst in the family to plan a career in the primary sector. Although, the knowledge he passed onto her certainly helped her interest in growing fruit. Anna was born and raised in Hawke’s Bay and hasn’t even moved house. “Walking to school in the morning and

smelling the red wine being pressed at the wineries across the road certainly didn’t hurt my decision to study winegrowing.” “My ﬁrst and biggest interest is chemistry, and deciding how to use that in my career led me to wine science, and by association - viticulture. After spending a couple of summers working in the vineyard I found I really enjoyed everything about it. As an academic at heart, it helps that I still get to analyse data and use chemistry when it comes to the agrichemicals,” Anna says. Anna is in her ﬁnal year of studies for the concurrent degrees of viticulture and wine science at EIT. She’s also studying with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust London, for a WSET diploma. “It’s a twoyear program that I’m doing through the New Zealand School of Wine and Spirits to get broader knowledge of anything and

everything related to wine. It’s a pretty challenging qualiﬁcation, especially on top of my undergrad study, but it’s been fantastic to learn about viticulture beyond our little corner of the world! It certainly puts a lot of what I’ve learnt at EIT into a global perspective that will help me approach future work in the ﬁeld with a broader mindset.” “Studying viticulture and wine was an easy choice, since it was an application of science that was close to home. Staying in Hawke’s Bay was a priority since I love it here, and being part of one of the biggest industries here means more opportunities outside of the big cities. Because of that, doing my degrees at EIT was a no-brainer and I’d made my mind up by the time I was in year 10. “

Anna finishes her undergraduate studies this year, and the immediate plan is to “stick around and work in the field, doing hands-on stuff for a bit longer. In the future I’d like to do post-graduate study overseas, then come back to the Bay to contribute to research in the industry-maybe even help represent New Zealand viticulture in the global scientific community.” “It’s really encouraging to see rewards for young academics in the primary industries - I’ve always believed having deep theoretical understanding makes experience more valuable to me. So I’m really grateful for the support from Lawson Robinson, the A&P Society, and of course EIT in regards to my studies.”

The Lawson Robinson Hawke’s Bay Scholarship

Anna is in her ﬁnal year of studies for the concurrent degrees of viticulture and wine science at EIT. Photo credit Keagan Klempel.

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

The Lawson Robinson Hawke’s Bay Scholarship aims to recognise outstanding academic and leadership qualities in a student currently enrolled in a full time land based production industries programme at a New ZealandTertiary institute.This award helps towards course fees and is awarded to an individual who shows drive and ambition to make a difference within the primary sector through their chosen course.

Rural Directions Hawke’s Bay Shepherd of the Year Finalists TOBY JOWSEY

FINN BEAMISH

QUIN KYNOCH

Toby has entered the competition to challenge himself and to be out of his comfort zone. He also believes the competition is a good opportunity to connect with the wider agriculture community. He’s worked for Rimanui farms for the 3 1/2 years starting at Lochinver Station before moving to Whakamarumaru Station in Crownthorpe. “I grew up on the family farm in Kereru and always enjoyed going out and helping Dad on the farm, from there that’s when I knew I had a passion for farming.” Toby attended Napier Boys High and left after year 12 to pursue his passion for farming. “I plan to ﬁnish my level 4 for Primary ITO. Later I hope to get a Senior Shepherd/ Head Shepherd Role and move up to a Stock Manager/ Block Managers role.” He enjoys the variety of work and working with his dogs: seeing them progress is satisfying. Toby is Chairman of the Eskview Young Farmers and he’s enjoying the challenge. He also enjoy helping out at the local dog trials.

Finn grew up on a farm in Ongaonga and attended Napier Boys High School for ﬁve years before moving to Smedley Station as a cadet for two years. In January this year he started work at Awapai station, a 2100ha breading and ﬁnishing operation in the Crownthorpe district. He has entered the competition “to push myself to improve my knowledge of the farm system and learn new skills.” He’s also anticipating making new contacts and having a chance at adding something to his CV. “My future goals for the next 5 years are to gain as much experience as I can as well as doing a diploma in agribusiness. After that I want to start moving up the ranks to become a manager and in the distant future a farm owner.” Finn particularly enjoys working as part of a team and the range of stock classes he deals with which gives a variety of work on a day to day basis. In his leisure time he helps out at local dog trials and Young Farmers club events.

Quin grew up on the family sheep and beef farm in Ashley Clinton and attended CHB College. In 2019 he started work at Kereru Station on Thorn Flat, the breeding block. Since leaving school he’s gained L3 in Agriculture at EIT. He has entered Shepherd of the Year as he feels it would be a good opportunity to apply himself and gain a sense of achievement. Quin has very specific career goals focusing on gaining different skills, a move to a different station and completion of L4 and 5 Agriculture papers. In five years-time he plans to be ready for a management role. He thoroughly enjoys working outdoors and working with his dogs with whom he has a special bond. “Kereru is a very community based area, so we are always having the opportunity to do things within our community. I also enjoy being a part of the Tikokino rural dog trials each year.” This year Quin joined the Kereru fire brigade and is hoping to be more involved very soon.

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

CONGRATULATIONS Hugh Abbiss

PGG Wrightson Congratulates Hugh Abbis on winning the

Silver Fern Farms Hawkes Bay Farmer of the Year.

We commend Hugh on his achievement and are pleased to be working closely with him.

Paul Bayes 027 442 5151

continue to build 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.

Championing Primary Industry I d t in i Hawke’s H Bay Since 1858