The 2023 Primary Industries New Zealand Award judges have their work cut out for them. File photo / Alan Gibson
Federated Farmers says the high calibre of finalists for the 2023 Primary Industry NZ Awards has made it a nightmare for the judging panel.
For example, choosing the Team & Collaboration Award winner will be particularly tough.
Judges have to decide between a five-year game-changing initiative to implement plantain as an environmentally functional forage; an all-women team that harnessed empathy and precision to devise digital farm plans to help food and fibre producers boost environmental and business sustainability; and a multi-organisation collaboration striving for new solutions to the challenges facing hill country farmers.
Judges have their work cut out for them with the Fibre Producer Award as well.
Here they’ll have to pick a winner from; a fast-selling and innovative performance equine feed that started out as an idea on a date; a vertically integrated sawmilling business with impressive environmental and productivity credentials; and a traditional sheep station that has pursued a boutique fibre business with crafters and home spinners in mind.
And that’s only the finalists from two of the nine awards categories, Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland said.
He said the awards ceremony on July 3 at Tākina, Wellington’s new Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be the highlight of the fifth annual PINZ Summit.
“There were 65 award nominations this year and they underline the amazing diversity, commitment and cutting-edge science that underpin our nation’s primary industries.
“It’s little wonder that our primary food and fibre products are so highly regarded in the intensely competitive international marketplace when, through these awards, you get a glimpse into the dedication and focus our researchers, producers, processors, innovators and governors invest in being the best they can be.”
The Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award will also be revealed on July 3.
In the running is Lincoln University Honorary Professor of Agri-Food Systems Keith Woodford, a man who has done much to foster the integration of production with agribusiness; Dr Tim Mackle, who at the end of June finishes a 15-year stint and immense contribution as DairyNZ chief executive; and Julian O’Brien who has produced TVNZ’s Country Calendar since 2005 - and began working on it in the 1980s.
However, one of the most hotly contested categories was the Technology Innovation Award, Copeland said.
Finalists are Levno for Milk, an IoT technology and software-driven system to maximise the production and quality of milk; DairySmart NZ, an initiative involving everyone from RFID data specialists to microbiologists to lower antibiotic use; and E-bin, a University of Waikato project that uses robotics to help the human workforce with kiwifruit harvesting.
“I don’t envy the judges deciding who the winners should be but I know the awards night and the PINZ Summit will be a showcase of everything that is great in our agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors,” Copeland said.
Team & Collaboration Award (BASF)
Science & Research Award (Yashili)
Technology Innovation Award (Asure Quality/Kaitiaki Kai)
Emerging Leader Award (Lincoln University)
Fibre Producer Award (FMG)
Food & Beverage Producer Award (Kotahi)
Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award (AgResearch)
Guardianship & Conservation Award/Kaitiakitanga Award (Rabobank)
Champion Award (PaySauce)