Shearing raises $9000

About 30 shearers and woolshed crew took part in the event at Waitara Station, near Te Haroto, raising $9000.

The fundraising crutching of about 6500 sheep on Saturday was as much a reunion as it was a fundraiser.

About 30 shearers and woolshed crew took part in the event at Waitara Station, near Te Haroto, starting at 7am and ending about 5.45pm, a day's voluntary labour raising about $9000 for the Shearing Sports Hawke's Bay's Great Raihania Shears at October's Royal Show in Hastings.

The fundraiser has become more-or-less an annual event since shearing contractor Colin Watson Paul got the team together to revive shearing competition at the show in 2004, and the crew this year ranged in age from a 13-year-old rousie to shearers in their 60s, from as far away as Taumarunui and Pongaroa.

But it became a special day for woolhandlers Fayln Hoggard, of Pongaroa, and Ana Tito, of Hastings, who hadn't seen each other for 35 years.

Mr Watson Paul was rapt with the outcome but he's always looking for "new people, new ideas".

Rewarding

With the ink barely dry after the latest national farm environment awards, entries have opened for next year's celebration of farming sustainability.

Judging co-ordinator for the 2017 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Andrea Hanna, says all farmers and horticulturists, including orchardists, vegetable growers and viticulturists, are eligible to enter.

Most take part because they want high quality feedback on how their farming operation stacks up in terms of environmental, social and economic sustainability, she says.

Mrs Hanna says the awards, which opened on Monday, prove sound environmental practices and good business management go hand in hand. Visit nzfeatrust.org.nz.

Farm safety

Spaces are still open in next week's Beef + Lamb NZ Hawke's Bay seminar on Safety Management System for farmers, which is being "rolled-out" throughout New Zealand.

It's next Wednesday 9.30am-3pm, and a copy of the system developed by B+L NZ system will be available to everyone who attends.

It is a set of plans and procedures that can be used to customise the farm, and is said to make light work of the paperwork with 90 per cent already done.

To take part contact B+L NZ Eastern North Island extension manager Mark Harris, ph 06870495, 0275779991 or Mark.Harris@beeflambnz.com