Award info

Why should I enter the Ballance Farm Environment Awards?

Farmers have said that they have gained the following benefits from entering the awards:

• The opportunity to confidentially discuss practical farm information and business with judges from a range of fields.
• The whole farm is looked at, i.e. environmental, financial and social elements, not just this year’s bottom-line.
• Gained new ideas and different methods from other entrants and judges.
• Recognised that some of their everyday practices already enhance the environment.
• Received a constructive feedback report that describes the strengths and areas of improvement for their whole farm operation.
• Extend their networks throughout the region and across different farm types.
• An Awards Night and Field day.
• Helped them focus on the direction they’re wanting to head in.

What awards are there?

Your entry will automatically be considered for the following awards:

• Supreme Award
  The Supreme Winner is chosen from the 'Best of the Best' i.e. one from the group of finalists that is chosen to represent the region - $3000 package including products and cash from all the sponsors.
• Ballance Nutrient Management Award
  This Award focuses on the wise use of nutrients for productivity while demonstrating excellent care for the environment around them. A very good understanding of nutrient cycles will need to be demonstrated. Nutrient budgeting will be understood and well documented. The impacts of nutrients on both surface & ground water will need to be well understood & well managed. - $1000 cash
• LIC Dairy Farm Award
  This award recognises the dairy farmer who demonstrates in a practical way the choices that have been made to farm for the long term. Considerations will be made around the wise use of the land, labour & capital resource available or created. Increasingly the effects of dairy farming on both surface & groundwater and its impact on soil properties are factors the judges will consider. - $1000 cash
• PPCS Livestock Farm Award
  This award recognises the livestock farmer (other than dairy) who demonstrates in a practical way the choices that have been made to farm for the long term. Considerations will be made around the wise use of the land, labour & capital resource available or created. Stock will be well cared for. Stock class & type will be well suited to the land contour & soil type and managed appropriately to suit those soils. - $1000 cash
• Hill Laboratories Harvest Award (e.g. Horticulture, Cropping, Viticulture etc)
  This award recognises the farmer who is predominantly involved in growing crops, (e.g. Grain, Seed, Viticulture, Horticulture) who demonstrates in a practical way the choices that have been made to farm for the long term. Consideration will include the effect the cropping system has on the land resource. Its effect on the water resource, along with nutrient use & effect will also be considered. Some formal monitoring or measuring of effects of cropping on these resources would be a positive. Demonstration of a good understanding of weed & pest management & treatments is also required. - $1000 cash
• PGG Wrightson Habitat Improvement Award
  This is for 'special places' of habitat that have been protected or created to enhance the farm business. The habitat may add value by protecting stock or crops from adverse weather or may add value by adding to the diversity of the farm. It may include trees or other plantings, wetlands created or restored or unique characteristics of the land or area protected from stock or predators. - $1000 cash/sponsor product
• Gallagher Innovation Award
  This award recognises the farmer who has been innovative either in the approach to problem solving for the farm business or innovative in the approach to technology use to assist the business. There is a need for the innovation award to be recognised as part of a long-term sustainable contribution to the business and the environment. - $1000 sponsors product
• Environment Canterbury Water Efficiency Award
  The focus of the award is water efficiency and in particular the efficient use of water on either dry land or irrigated farms. To be considered for the award, entrants should demonstrate that they are measuring water inputs, and are using this information to make good water use decisions. - $1000 cash

How the Awards are Judged?

The judges perform a peer review of your whole farming system. Judging of the entrants' farming operation is an integral part of the Awards process, and is in no way based on a pass or fail situation. To ensure entrants gain maximum value from participating, the review encourages you to discuss goals, achievements and your property at a time suitable to you, where you will have the opportunity to showcase your knowledge and accomplishments.

Who are the Judges?

The Farm Environment Awards judging team contains representatives from rural professional organisations as well as sponsors and regional government and a good number of farmers who have themselves been through the judging process of these awards.  Organisations involved often include Federated Farmers, Agriculture New Zealand, Farm Forestry Association, Conservation Boards, Landcare Trust, Banks, Farm Consultants and Environment Canterbury.  Each team member brings specialist skills and/or knowledge and experience, either as a farmer of as a representative of one of these organisations.

What are the Judges are looking for?

When the Ballance Farm Environment Awards judges visit , they will view your farm, talk through your plans, and the implementation of them. They will also discuss your production goals and how they fit with long term sustainability and also how you are sustaining the land and other natural resources on your farm. They will also be looking for innovative ways to find sustainable solutions to the limitations you have encountered on your farm. Your farming business will be looked at as an overall operation, not only in respect of environmental management but in relation to running a profitable business.

The type of questions they may ask and topic areas considered include:

• Are different land types matched to appropriate stock, crops, or protections uses
• Are you making the most of your available capital and/or discretionary spending to help meet your farm, environmental and personal objectives
• Management of waterways and water use
• Is energy efficiency considered in decisions about irrigation, running machinery crop storage?
• Soil health
• Are the farmers planning for the future when making decisions
• How well does the farm provide for the family, contractors and employees and the local community
• Is control carried out for browsing pests i.e. feral deer, ferrets, possums, goats
  

These are just some of the areas the judges will look at. Other areas considered include effluent management and waste disposal, nutrient management, weed and pest management, animal husbandry, planning in the use of chemicals, and future projects.

Can I enter if I entered last year?

Farmers who entered last year, are welcome to enter their operation again, including any improvements they have made in the last year.

To apply for the BFEA, you need to enter an application form.

© 2007 Environment Canterbury