Southern farmers in line for Beef + Lamb awards

John and Liz Chittock

Southern farmers and scientists feature among the finalists in this year's Beef + Lamb New Zealand sheep industry awards.

The awards feature five people-related categories in which finalists are selected by a team of judges representing the farming and agribusiness industries.

Julia Aspinall, an artificial breeding services and SIL bureau operator from Invercargill, is a finalist in the significant contribution to the sheep industry class.

John and Liz Chittock, of Jeff Farm at Kaiwera, which trains young people for a career in agriculture, are trainer of the year finalists.

AbacusBio consultant Nadia McLean is a finalist in emerging talent, while Michael Lee, of the University of Otago, and Ken Dodds, of AgResearch Invermay, are finalists in the science award.

Richard and Alan Hore, of Beaumont Station, and Wilson and Gaylene Ronald of Southland, are up for supplier of the year.

Genetic awards will also be presented at the awards dinner in Invercargill on July 5.
Finalists are. - Significant contribution to the Zealand sheep industry: Tony Parker (Havelock North), Tim Anderson (Parnassus) and Julia Aspinall (Invercargill).

Innovation: StockX and Mark Warren (Havelock North) and Mark Warren (Hawke's Bay).

Trainer of the year: John and Liz Chittock (Jeff Farm), Rex Neuman (Napier) and Agri-Women's Development Trust (Wairarapa).

Emerging talent: James Hoban (North Canterbury), Nadia McLean (Dunedin), Hayden Peter (Southland).

Science: Derrick Moot (Lincoln University), Michael Lee (University of Otago), Ken Dodds (AgResearch, Invermay).

Supplier of the year: Wilson and Gaylene Ronald (Southland), James Bull Holdings (Hunterville), Richard and Alan Hore (Beaumont Station).