Ballance Farm Environment Awards attract a wide range of entries.

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards have attracted a strong range of entrants from throughout the Canterbury farming community for the 2011 competition.

Launched in the region seven years ago, the awards recognise farming practices that are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. Canterbury judging co-ordinator James Hoban is pleased with the range of entries received this year, despite it becoming more difficult to persuade farmers to enter the awards.

“Many farmers have developed a view that publicity of any form will open them up to unwelcome attention. The reality is though there are a large number of farms across Canterbury with impressive sustainable management practices and systems in place which should be celebrated and shared with others,” says James Hoban.

“We have farms entered from as far North as Kaikoura and as far South as Pleasant Point. The entrants are a very good reflection of farming in our region and cover arable, dairy and livestock farming and also horticulture.”

“The awards are about recognising good farm management. Every farm is unique so the finalists are farmers who work to make the most of the resources available to them and who aim to ensure their business is environmentally sustainable but also economically productive and socially responsible.”

Judges have visited properties for the preliminary judging and selected six finalists. Finalist judging will take place in January next year with the winners announced at a special awards ceremony in Christchurch on April 1, 2010.

Principal sponsor for the national awards programme is Ballance Agri-Nutrients, with Environment Canterbury as the regional partner. The awards are also supported by sponsors Hill Laboratories, Beef + Lamb, Massey University , LIC and PGG Wrightson.

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