28 May 2012

Bank of New Zealand backs South Island farming award

The Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year award, an annual showcase of success and innovation in farming, has won the support of Bank of New Zealand.

Foundation Chairman Neil Taylor says he welcomes BNZ’s three-year sponsorship as a commitment to growing the success of farmers through the inspiration and knowledge sharing that stems from the competition.

“In what has been tough economic times for many sectors, it is very encouraging to see that businesses like Bank of New Zealand continue to recognise the value of sponsorship; as a community relations gesture and also because it can add real value to an industry and the economic wellbeing of New Zealand,” Neil Taylor says.

Chris Wylie, Senior Partner in BNZ Partners for Mid/South Canterbury, says the bank is delighted to be on board.

“This competition promotes outstanding, cutting-edge farm management practice and leadership, which is essential to the ongoing success of an industry that is vital to New Zealand’s future prosperity. BNZ has been growing market share in agri-lending which currently sits at 21% nationally. This sponsorship will allow us to extend our support of the sector and is welcomed by our agri team throughout the South Island.”

Nominations for the 2012 Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year award are now open and Chris Wylie says BNZ will be working hard with the Foundation and the agribusiness industry to encourage entries.

Neil Taylor says the competition has gone from strength to strength and has earned its place as one of the country’s most respected farming awards.

“This award showcases successful, efficient and sustainable farming practices in the South Island. It’s about more than farming excellence. It’s doing that something extra that marks a farming operation as something exceptional. There have been some outstanding winners in previous years, but we know there’s a lot more stories of success to be told. We want people who know these farmers to nominate them, and we encourage farmers themselves to enter. It’s a great experience for all entrants and has the added bonus of benefiting the farming industry and New Zealand generally.

“Through raising the profile of our best and most successful farmers, we hope other farmers can learn from their fresh ideas, apply them to their own properties, grow their own success and ensure South Island farmers lead the world.”

Enter or nominate a farmer at www.lincolnuniversityfoundation.org.nz Entries close 1 August 2012.

The winner of the 2012 competition will receive a $15,000 travel/education grant and the runner-up a $7,500 travel/education grant.

Neil Taylor says the success of the award has been such that as well as gaining the support of BNZ, other key sponsors have been retained.

“Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms, Summit Animal Health/Dominion Salt, CTV-Rob’s Country, MediaWorks and NZX Agri have all signed on for at least another year. These companies recognise the importance of success and innovation to the future of farming in New Zealand. They are keen to support this award as a means of recognising outstanding achievement and spreading that knowledge to others in the industry.

ENDS

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