Winners to host field day

Pakotai farmers Rachel and Greig Alexander are opening the gates of their farm to the public.

Northland's premier environmental farmers are opening their farm gates to share the secret to their recent award success.

Pakotai dairy farmers Rachel and Greig Alexander, winners of the 2015 Northland Ballance Farm Environment Supreme Award, are hosting a field day at their award-winning property on May 7.

The Alexanders' business, Waikopani Holdings, farms a total of 486ha on two farms (one dairy and the other beef) in the Mangakahia River Valley, about 50km northwest of Whangarei.

The Mangakahia Rd property will be open to all interested parties from 10.30am.

The Alexanders will explain how they incorporate sustainability into their day-to-day operation while still running a profitable business.

The couple's innovation was praised by the Northland Ballance Farm Environment judges.

Steeper areas on their property have been retired from grazing and planted with a range of production forestry species, and extensive riparian and wetland areas have been re-established in the valley systems.

Judges also commented on the careful attention to detail shown towards grazing, financial and nutrient management.

The Alexanders will give an overview of the business and a tour of the property.

The field day programme alsoincludes the innovative use of clover silage for supplement, pest control and bush management, minimising water use and the integration of beef and forestry in their farming operation.

The Alexanders also captured the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award, LIC Dairy Farm Award, Massey University Innovation Award, and the WaterForce Integrated Management Award.

Other 2015 Northland winners were:

Beef+Lamb New Zealand Livestock Award

Laurie Copland and Copland Family Trust, Broadwood, Kaitaia.

Hill Laboratories Harvest Award

Angela and Tony Payton, Whispering Pines, Kaitaia.

Northland Regional Council Water Quality Enhancement Award

PGG Wrightson Land and Life Award, Donaghys Farm Stewardship Award

Sandy and Ian Page, Tahere Farm, Pataua North, Whangarei.