Baden Sommerville and Campbell Sommerville
Somerview Farm

This Mid Canterbury support block demonstrates that intensive dairy grazing and calf rearing can go hand-in-hand with exceptional environmental stewardship.

The 160ha (150ha effective) operation was purchased in 2013 by Baden and Judith Sommerville. In 2024, it was sold to son Campbell as part of their succession plan, with Baden remaining involved in day-to-day activities. Campbell’s fiancée Sonja Vreugdenhil is also involved in the farming business, balancing it with fulltime work off-site.

The team has a strong commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment, particularly when it comes to water quality, biodiversity, and soil health.

The judges were impressed by their comprehensive approach to sustainability, noting that stock exclusion across the farm goes above-and- beyond regulatory requirements. All waterways and retired gullies have been fenced and enhanced with the planting of thousands of locally sourced native plants.

Their environmental work includes restoring extensive waterways, drains and swales, and maintaining large wetland areas. This includes the only known remnant Mānuka wetland on the Ashburton plains – established by Baden and Judith.

The judges were impressed with the farm’s excellent winter grazing plan that is designed to identify and mitigate risks. This involves careful management of critical source areas, strategic grazing, and large, long break faces – all designed to protect soil and water during winter.

The team’s data-driven approach includes monthly water monitoring that is demonstrating excellent results in nitrate attenuation.

The team is actively involved in the local catchment collective, including the implementation of several catchment-based projects on the farm. Their participation is helping to strengthen community-led environmental initiatives and is contributing to broader catchment-scale benefits.

By caring for the land’s inherent natural characteristics, the team is ensuring that Somerview is a high-producing asset that serves as a model for sustainable practice.