Page 118 - NZ Hereford Magazine 2023

Hereford-cross on show

in environment awards stories

he Ballance Farm Environment Awards celebrate beef and dairy farm has transitioned to a mostly closed model
farmer and grower achievement and showcase where the dairy and beef operations support each other. They
good practice. have been buying Hereford genetics since 2014, and lean
The programme’s assessment considers the towards pedigree animals as the quality is better even with a
Twhole farm system including animal and plant focus on low birth weight and calving ease traits.
care, biodiversity, business health, climate, people and The Otago winners added some Angus-Hereford cross cows
wellbeing, soil, water, and waste management. to their herd a few years ago, and the Southland winner had
Many of the 2022 regional supreme winners from around the some young white face cattle as well. The Horizons winners are
country used Hereford genetics in some form in their businesses. achieving great carcass weights from their white face progeny
Canterbury father and son Phillip and Paul Everest, (see previous page).
supported by partners Jocelyn and Sarah (Hayman), went The Turners from Taranaki usually farm 30 to 50 one-year
on to become the awards’ new national ambassadors for and the same number of two-year Hereford-Friesian steers. It
sustainable farming and growing. They rear Herefords on is a flexible stock policy depending on seasons and markets.
their Ashburton dairy farm with short gestation Shrimpton’s “They are not capital stock for us, as we trade as required.
Hills genetics via LIC. About 140 calves go to regular clients They are our buffer ... they’re easy to purchase locally and seem
at 100kg, and in 2022 they also reared 40 milk-fed veal calves to have a demand when required to sell,” David Turner says.
to 100kg, which were then grown to 300kg live weight before Being part of the awards programme, run by the NZ Farm
processing. Environment Trust, is a positive way to receive feedback
The Northland winners, Geoff and Jo Crawford, have three on your business, identify strengths, and learn from others
dairy farms and a 300ha beef unit. Each year, the 700 calves passionate about the food and fibre sector, says general
born on the farm are sold as trade cattle, while 20% of the dairy manager Sarah Harris.
herd is finished. They are regular buyers of Matapouri bulls. The 2023 regional winners will be celebrated at a National
The Auckland winners were Paparimu sheep, beef and dairy Sustainability Showcase in Wellington in May. Entries for the
farmers Rick and Shirley-Ann Mannering. Their 1455ha sheep, 2024 awards programme open in April.

“ We didn’t want to just be bystanders in
our industry and hoped our story could
inspire others on their journey. “

L I N D A A N D E VA N P O T T E R , D E E R , S H E E P
& B E E F F A R M E R S , H A W K E ’ S B AY
2 0 2 0 E A S T C O A S T R E G I O N A L S U P R E M E
W I N N E R S AN D N A T I O N AL AM B A S S A D O R S

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116 HEREFORD MAGAZINE Year 2023