Judges looking for role models at Otago and Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Entrants were judged on how they looked after their environment as well as good business practice. Photo / Getty images

Otago and Southland's finalists in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) competition will know how successful they have been later this week.

Otago's awards evening will be at the Glenroy Auditorium in Dunedin on April 7, while the Southland finalists will be informed at the Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill, tomorrow.

The awards evenings are two of 11 held throughout the country, and Andrea Hanna, of Te Kuiti, will have been involved in each of the regional competitions.

As the BFEA national judging co-ordinator, she oversees the teams of judges for both the initial and final judging rounds for the regions.

''For the first round, we put judges in teams with the right expertise to suit the type of farm (the entrants have),'' Mrs Hanna said.

''They go on to the entrants' properties and then give feedback, like a free peer review.''

Another judging team is involved in the finals round.

Mrs Hanna said they were keen to attract entrants from all types of farming enterprises, including orchards, vineyards, sheep and beef or dairy properties, who could ''spread the message about environmental sustainability''.

''What we are looking for is people who have used their initiative to tackle current issues on their properties.''

She said entrants were judged on how they looked after their environment as well as good business practices, social and community responsibility and maintaining sustainable profitability.

That could include shelterbelt and riparian planting, appropriate fencing and stock management, dealing with nutrient inputs and loss, handling irrigation and run-off, mitigating property limitations, and making best use or managing the natural features or qualities of their property.

BFEA national judging co-ordinator Andrea Hanna. Photo / Supplied

''There are farmers out there who are doing really well. The judges find out the reasons behind the choices they make, and what drives them.

''We are also looking for role models who can possibly mentor other farmers and young people coming into the industry.''

Mrs Hanna encouraged farmers and horticulturalists to enter the awards.

She said the judges would talk to the entrants around the kitchen table and then look around the property.

They would receive a free peer review about their operation and even if they did not win or place the first time, that feedback would be helpful.

Some farmers will enter several times, and each year take on board the feedback, and then make progress.

''It is really heartening to see some of the good things people are doing with their farms,'' she said. ''For example, using a solar power system to run electric fencing around particularly sensitive areas.

''People are coming up against a problem and then they look for answers. A lot of it is just common sense.''

She said they were seeing ''a lot of headway'' being made with stock genetics, or other forms of new technology.

''They are making it normal to look outside the square for answers.''

She said the number of entrants had been static for the past two or three years.

''It is always a struggle to get farmers to put their hands up.

''Sometimes sponsors' reps will nominate people, and some farmers are really chuffed they were considered good enough to be nominated,'' she said.