Our Sponsors.

When Ballance began its support of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards way back in 1995, the internet was budding technology, consumers gave little thought to the origins of food or fibre and resources like water were freely available on a first come, first served basis.

Thirty years on, anyone, anywhere can read news on farm practices in New Zealand, consumers can google the ‘baa’ code on merino clothing to see where the fibre was grown and the management of natural resources is increasingly regulated. A groundbreaking idea to encourage and celebrate farmers following good environmental principles back in the 1990s has proved a trailblazer for sharing, showcasing and supporting sustainability.

As a result, farmers can look to other farmers to see what is profitable and possible when it comes to the best environmental management of their operations. All of this has been made possible not just through sponsorships but through the dedication of judges and countless volunteers who have made the Ballance Farm Environment Awards the gold standard.

The constant encouragement and education embedded in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards have enabled good farmers to become even better farmers, able to meet growth goals without compromising sustainability. The examples set by regional and national winners have shown other farmers that it’s possible to manage increasing regulatory requirements, while maintaining productivity – and that they can do it in a way which meets consumers’ growing interest in where food comes from and how it is produced.

This has underpinned New Zealand’s reputation as an exporter of high-quality nutrition. Maintaining and building our reputation has never been more important if we are to make the most of the massive opportunities for our agricultural exports in the big emerging economies of China, India, Indonesia and Brazil. As a farmer cooperative, Ballance is working with our farmers to make this opportunity real. New Zealand is not creating more land, but the science behind our products and advice means we can lift the performance of our farms. Our Ballance Farm Environment Award winners are in the top 25% for productivity. Our goal is to bring the lower 25% up to the median and take the median up to the top 25% like all of our winners. Thirty years ago, what we could offer farmers was markedly different to what it is today. Technology, science and sustainability are all in the toolbox enabling farmers to produce more with a lighter environmental footprint.

We’re very excited about the next 30 years and ensuring farming is sustainability as an economic powerhouse for this great country.

Bayleys Real Estate is proud to sponsor the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Bayleys’ specialist Country division was formed in 1999, with salespeople on the ground from the far north to the deep south who can assist you in selling or acquiring rural real estate.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is proud to sponsor the Livestock Award in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards recognising farming practices that support a long-term commitment to sustainability.

The essence of sustainability is finding a balance between, environmental, financial and social values and the Awards provide an opportunity to showcase the farmers who are working in this way.

Their stories inspire other farmers to think along the same lines and the Awards are an opportunity to showcase wider environmental and economic benefits for the New Zealand economy.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand works to provide the tools and information that highlight environmental issues and promote sustainability and so it is good to be involved in awards which share our goals.

The Beef + Lamb New Zealand Land and Environment Planning Toolkit is one such tool that helps farmers identify land and environmental issues on their farms.  From there they can make a plan to ensure the land is managed sustainably, taking into account the specific spoil type, fertility, pasture types, susceptibility to erosion and management practices relevant to that particular farm.

DairyNZ is proud to support the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, specifically as a sponsor of the DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award.  This award recognises innovative dairy farmers who demonstrate a strong commitment to managing, protecting and enhancing their environment.

DairyNZ supports and encourages on-farm change initiatives that are positive, long term and environmentally sustainable. Dairy farmers’ levy money is invested into a range of programmes guided by the wider sector sustainability strategy, including research and development, farmer and industry advocacy, and training initiatives.

FMG sponsors the Risk Management Award, recognising farmers and growers who have proactively identified, assessed and managed risks that could impact their business, helping to minimise potential harm and strengthen resilience. The award covers all aspects of farm planning and people management, including physical, business, and financial risk management.

Founded in 1984 by Dr Roger Hill and Anne Hill, Hill Labs has been committed to serving the analytical testing needs of the agricultural and horticultural industries in New Zealand for over three decades. Throughout that time, we have built extremely positive relationships with our customers, working to ensure the primary industry is at its most productive and progressive.

It has been wonderful to see the innovative and socially conscious efforts demonstrated throughout the farming industry in New Zealand through our involvement with the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. As a company, we are proud to have sponsored these awards since 2004 and are dedicated to continuing this support and promoting those efforts in the future.

Our award, the Hill Labs Agri-Science Award, recognises excellence in the use of science and monitoring to optimise productivity and minimise environmental impacts. Recipients of this award must demonstrate a good understanding of soil, water, plant and crop protection, with supporting measurement and monitoring in place.

Hill Labs is New Zealand’s largest private analytical testing laboratory, providing testing services for agriculture, environmental and food industries.

The Ministry for the Environment presents the Biodiversity Award, which recognises the biological diversity of farming and growing businesses. This award acknowledges the mahi of past and present kaitiaki who have created environments where biodiversity can thrive.

The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust sponsors the Catchment Showcase, an initiative that highlights the work of catchment groups across New Zealand. The Catchment Showcase is run in conjunction with the Ballance Farm Environment Awards programme and celebrates community-led action focused on improving the health of local waterways and the surrounding environment, providing a platform for groups to share their stories with the wider community. The initiative is designed to celebrate the work of local catchment groups, recognising the innovative, collaborative approaches communities are taking to restore waterways, enhance biodiversity, and build resilience within their catchment areas. Mountains to Sea sponsors the Catchment Showcase in every region except Canterbury, which is sponsored by Tavendale and Partners.

Norwood is a leading tractor and machinery distributor group, representing a portfolio of leading global brands. We are proud to support the Ballance Farm Environment Awards and to help celebrate those New Zealand farmers who are leading the charge in sustainable land management.

Like the brands we partner with, we are constantly considering how tractor and machinery technology can be applied to deliver more sustainable farming practices, including precision farming solutions such as low impact minimum tillage and advanced seeding, efficient grassland forage harvesting, low emission diesel engine technology and improved nutrition feeding approaches.

We have immense respect for the work and dedication it takes to operate a successful farm business and put our full support behind those farmers at the forefront of innovative business management practices. This is why we proudly put our name beside the Farming Efficiency Award.

As New Zealand’s only specialist food and agri bank, Rabobank is committed to supporting Kiwi farmers and growers over the long haul. Food and agri is in our DNA.

We place a strong focus on the long-term viability and sustainability of New Zealand agriculture and that’s why we are proud to support the Ballance Farm Environment Awards – an Awards programme which shares this focus.

The bank believes knowledge and understanding of environmental sustainability issues are the keys for both farmers and banks and, as such, is undertaking a range of initiatives to work with both our staff and clients to incorporate sustainability within long-term farm business planning.

Rabobank has been supporting the Awards programme since 2005 and over this period many of our staff have played key roles on Award committees and judging panels in their respective regions.

This hands-on role provides our staff with a first-hand view of farming best-practice and we are continually impressed by the passion of New Zealand’s farmers and their drive to improve their farming operations.

The WaterForce Safe Water Recognition Award recognises farmers who demonstrate leadership in providing safe, potable water for people and food processing on-farm, including staff, family, contractors, and others. This includes washing and CIP (Clean in Place) solutions. It also highlights smart water management practices that reduce risk and support long-term resilience.

The AFFCO Innovation Award recognises the farmer or grower that embraces Kiwi ingenuity – respecting history while embracing new technologies, tools and processes for solving problems and pursuing new opportunities. The award also takes into account other management practices that have been implemented as a means to improving environmental, social and economic outcomes – AFFCO: Kiwi to the Bone.

The recipient of the Waikato River Authority Catchment Improvement Award shows that they have analysed their current farm system for its effects on the river through farm practices, infrastructure, and system limitations. They are then able to show the changes they have implemented and how they have contributed to improving the ‘mauri’ or well-being of the river and its tributaries. The recipient would also need to articulate the farm’s vision for future enhancements.

The Zespri Kiwifruit Orchard Award identifies the kiwifruit orchard that most clearly demonstrates the use of sustainable orchard practices and management. Key areas of focus include environmental responsibility, economic return, community awareness and the ethical management of resources including labour and orchard inputs.