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From the Paddock to the Packet Field Day – 2 March 2012 23 Jan 2012 The 2011 Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year will hold a field day on their South Canterbury property in early March. Downlad the full press release |
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Innovative South Canterbury farmers win the 2011 Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year competition 05 Nov 2011  Last night Ray and Adrianne Bowan of South Canterbury won the Lincoln University Foundation’s showcase event – the South Island Farmer of the Year. “We are incredibly humbled and overwhelmed by the win, especially as all the finalists were of high calibre. It is quite a surprise,” says Mr Bowan. Lincoln University Foundation chairman Neil Taylor congratulated the Bowans. “Their commitment to innovation is ongoing – year after year. They are exceptional managers and are environmentally aware, as are all of the finalists.” Mr Taylor congratulated all finalists saying “they are all successful farmers and business people.” The first round of judging involved an on-farm inspection. The second round involved application analysis at Lincoln University, and from there four finalists were selected. A second on-farm inspection was held and this evening the finalists each gave a 15 minute public presentation at Lincoln University attended by 90 members of the South Island rural community. The winners of the award categories are as follows: The winner of the 2011 South Island Farmer of the Year: Ray and Adrianne Bowan of South Canterbury. They farm 1214 hectares in Orari and 197 hectares at Coldstream on the North Bank of the Rangitata River. With 95 percent of their farm irrigated they grow potatoes, cereals, barley, maze and grass seeds. Increasingly they are wintering dairy cows and last winter 2,500 cows wintered on their property. Ray is a Director of both Grainstor and Seedlands and is an original member of the Rangitata South Irrigation Scheme. In 2009 when a potato chip factory in Washdyke closed down the Bowans bought the factory and established Heartland Potato Chips, http://www.heartlandchips.co.nz, which employs 15 people. The Bowans bought their first farm over 40 years ago. It is now a family affair with their son working on the farm, one daughter working in the office and another daughter, who lives in Christchurch, helping out with the marketing. The Bowans received a $15,000 travel award to be used to explore overseas farming systems. The runner up of the 2011 South Island Farmer of the Year: Bill and Lynda Davey of Rakaia in Mid Canterbury. The Davey’s run an intensive cropping operation supplying barley for Monteith’s Brewery and lease land to a Dutch company that grows bulbs. The Daveys received a $7,500 travel award. The farmer who best illustrated the use of cutting edge implementation of innovation on their farm: David and Pam Gardner from Waimate in South Canterbury. They farm Kelso sheep and shorthorn cross cows using an extensive four-wire electric fence system. They received a TM465 GPS system. The People’s Choice Public Presentation award: David and Pam Gardner (as per above). The fourth finalists, Stephen and Tracey Cullen of Mossburn in Southland were commended for entering and becoming finalists in this prestigious competition. All finalists received a voucher for 10 x 20kg salt blocks from competition sponsor Summit Animal Health. Next year a field day will be held on the Bowan’s farm and all members of the rural community are invited to attend. The event will be publicised in the new year. |
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Four finalists have been named for the 2011 South Island Farmer of the Year competition. 27 Oct 2011 Farmers from Southland, South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury are in the running for the Lincoln University Foundation’s showcase event – the South Island Farmer of the Year. Lincoln University Foundation chairman Neil Taylor says the competition rewards innovative, efficient and sustainable farmers and farming methods. “This year’s entrants were all of a high calibre and it was difficult to narrow them down to four finalists,” he says. Lead judge Bob Simpson says the finalists are all very successful farmers and businessmen and yet are quiet and unassuming. The finalists: Stephen and Tracey Cullen work to the strengths of their Oreti River flats farm in Southland grazing sheep year round and wintering dairy cows and play to their economic strength by leasing properties. David and Pam Gardner farm Kelso sheep and shorthorn cross cows using a four-wire electric fence system on their Melford Hills farm inland from Waimate in South Canterbury. Ray and Adrienne Bowan are arable farmers, in particular potatoes which they make into Heartland Potato Chips. They are increasingly wintering dairy stock on their Orari farms in South Canterbury. Bill and Lynda Davey run an intensive cropping operation in Rakaia in Mid Canterbury supplying barley for Monteith’s Brewery and lease land to a Dutch company that grows bulbs. The winner of the Farmer of the Year will receive a $15,000 travel award to be used to explore overseas farming systems and the runner-up will receive a $7,500 travel award. The farmer who best illustrates cutting edge implementation of innovation on their farm will receive a TM465 GPS system. The Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year Finals Where: Stewart Lecture Theatre, Lincoln University When: 4 November 2011 Time: 4pm – 20 minute presentation from each finalist 5:20pm – final judging round 6:00pm – winner announced followed by drinks and nibbles 7:30pm – invitation only dinner (Lincoln University Dining Hall) The judging panel comprises of:
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Calling all Innovative Farmers 03 Jun 2011 The Lincoln University Foundation’s showcase event – the South Island Farmer of the Year is calling for innovative farmers to enter the 2011 competition. Downlad the full press release :: Archive :: |
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The Story of Bonavaree 28 Mar 2011 The Avery family won the 2010 Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year because of their focus on innovation. Doug Avery has compiled this document outlining Bonavaree’s history, vision and innovations. It also includes stock and production numbers. Downlad the full press release |
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The Ladder to Success 15 Mar 2011 The 2010 Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year, the Avery family, held a successful Field Day on their Seddon property on 18 February. Please find attached the presentation Doug and Fraser Avery gave to the 300 strong crowd. Download the presentation (Powerpoint in a Zip file - 4MB) |
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Open day on South Island’s 2010 innovative farm of the year 02 Feb 2011 Lincoln University Foundation South Island farmers of the year Doug, Wendy, Fraser and Shelley Avery will open Bonavaree to the rural community to show how they transformed their drought-prone farm into a profitable unit. Download the full press release |
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Innovative Marlborough farming family wins the Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year competition 06 Nov 2010 Doug, Wendy, Fraser and Shelley Avery from Bonavaree near Lake Grassmere won the South Island Farmer of the Year at the finals held at Lincoln University yesterday evening. Download the full press release |
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Finalists found for South Island Farmer of the Year 20 Oct 2010 Follow this link for more information on the 2010 South Island Farmer of the Year finalists and for details of the finals at Lincoln University on 5 November: |
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Archive: Judging revamp for South Island Farmer of the Year competition 10 Aug 2010 Today the Lincoln University Foundation has confirmed significant changes to the judging process for the South Island Farmer of the Year competition. For the first time, the body responsible for New Zealand’s rural professionals – the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) – will help judge the competition. |
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Archive: Tom Lambie interview on CTV 22 Jul 2010 Tom Lambie, the chancellor of Lincoln University, joins Rob Cope-Williams on Rob's Country to discuss this year's South Island Farmer of the Year. |
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Archive: Ben Todhunter interview on CTV 22 Jul 2010 Ben Todhunter joins Rob Cope-Williams on Rob's Country to discuss this year's South Island Farmer of the Year. watch the video |
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Archive: Innovation seen as the future of farming in the South Island 23 Jun 2010 The Lincoln University Foundation’s showcase event – the South Island Farmer of the Year has undergone a makeover with the focus shifting to innovation for its 32nd year. In 2009 the event was put on hold while an effectiveness review was carried out. The review called for the event to adopt only one category rather than changing it each year – previously a farmer would have to wait up to a decade before their category came up again. Download the full press release |
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Archive: Property of South Island Farmer of the Year winner open for field day. 21 May 2009 Download the full press release --- |
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Archive: Finalists for the 2008 Lincoln University Foundation/Rabobank/Ravensdown Farmer of the Year competition have been selected. 20 May 2008 --- |
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Archive: Leading US dairy farmer to speak at Southland Field day. 28 Mar 2008 --- |
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Archive: Finalists for the 2008 Lincoln University Foundation Farmer of the Year competition. 01 Mar 2008 |
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