Arable Farmer of the Year

Congratulations to all the winners at the New Zealand Arable Awards, especially Arable Farmer of the Year, Simon Nitschke.

Simon was also named Maize Grower of the Year. He was one of four category winners eligible for the top award. The others were newly crowned Cereal Grower of the Year, Peter Hewson, Seed Grower of the Year, Scott Rome and Positive Environmental Impact Award winner Daniel Finlayson. Other growers in the limelight were Syd Worsfold, inducted into the Arable Hall of Fame and the Growers Leading Change Liquid Injection Arable Growth Group who received the Working Together Award.

Simon Nitzche: Arable Farmer of the Year and Maize Grower of the Year  
Simon Nitzche grows maize grain, wheat and barley near Marton. Simon grows up to 200ha of maize grain, with yields generally ranging from 13-17 tonnes per hectare, although with strip till he has achieved over 20 tonnes. He credits these results to hybrid selection, soil fertility, pH and residue management, minimising compaction, targeted fertiliser application with split timings and rates, tissue sampling and the analysis of yield maps to feedback into the management of the next crop.

Simon participates actively in his regional FAR ARG, a Growers Leading Change group as well as a UK based arable group.

Receiving his award, he said the season had been hard going for arable farmers in general and North Island maize growers in particular, so it was great to have such a good turnout at an event celebrating arable farming.

Peter Hewson: Cereal Grower of the Year  
Peter Hewson has a 475ha dryland operation on rolling downs at Esk Valley, south of Timaru. He grows 360ha of arable crops including winter wheat, barley, ryegrass, cocksfoot, fescue, linseed, maize and faba beans.

The judges found him to be a very good thinker, willing and able to adapt his agronomic approach to crop establishment and stubble management as the season and crop requires. Two-thirds of the farm is mapped for variable rate fertiliser and lime ensuring that he maintains good fertility on all paddocks and aspects. He has realistic yield targets for dryland and carefully manages nitrogen to optimise yield. His average winter wheat yield is 10t/ha (ranging from 8-11 tonnes/ha) and barley yields are around 8-9 tonnes/ha.

The judges were very impressed with the way Peter manages rainfall via tillage practices, drilling dates and careful planning and with his strong focus on soil health, avoiding soil compaction on his cropping ground especially over winter.

Peter’s involvement in the community and willingness to share knowledge of his farming was also noted. He is chair of the Sutherland arable group, a member of FAR’s regional ARG and of a FAR Growers Leading Change group. He shares his farm story on social media and has over 1000 followers.

On accepting his award, Peter said: “As farmers we don’t pat ourselves on the back and necessarily think we are doing a good job. So, to be standing up here today because someone thought I was doing a good job, I am very honoured.”

He also mentioned a couple of quotes that he often puts into practice. From his parents: “Always leave room in the deal for someone else to make a dollar” and from his accountant Brent Love: “Control the controllable in life.”

Scott Rome: Seed Grower of the Year  
Scott Rome, farms between Riversdale and Balfour in Southland. He grabbed the judges’ attention for moving the family farming operation to prioritise seed production in a region where that is not the typical model. Scott grows a range of seed crops including turf and perennial ryegrass, fescue, radish, mustard and red beet as well as peas and, in the past, red clover.

The judges noted that Scott was self-motivated with a strong knowledge base and that his adoption of new technology such as variable rate applications, use of drones had resulted in outstanding results. They also applauded his involvement in a local catchment group, his willingness to share knowledge through involvement in Growers Leading Change and his decision to step up to industry leadership as the Southland representative on Herbage Seedgrowers’ Subsection of Federated Farmers.

Receiving his award, he thanked his parents Steven and Helen Rome, and all the companies that play a part in the chain.

Daniel Finlayson: Positive Environmental Impact  
Daniel, who farms south of Hamilton, impressed the judges with his motivation to build his business from the ground up with strong environmental stewardship as a foundational principle as opposed to a ‘nice to have’.

Daniel’s positive attitude, his general commitment to managing a viable business in a challenging catchment, and genuine engagement with iwi ultimately led the judges to award him first place (amongst a competitive line up). The judges appreciated how environmental considerations have been integrated into his entire farm plan and his approach of "leaning into it, even as regulations shift”. They were particularly impressed with his continuous efforts to find solutions that work for his farm, such as developing an anaerobic system for chicken manure to reduce volatilisation.

Daniel thanked the other farmers that are doing “so much amazing work out there” as well as FAR who has assisted him on his journey.

Growers Leading Change, Liquid Injection: Working Together  
The FAR Growers Leading Change Liquid Injection group is focusing on getting the most out of biological products available to New Zealand arable systems. They are learning and sharing information on available products and application systems, especially liquid injection.

The judges considered the Canterbury group a great example of passionate growers, working together noting that group members…“effectively fostered an environment of trust and collaboration. A place where failings are shared openly and collective knowledge is developed”. By working together, learning has been accelerated, sharing try-outs across farms, tapping into each-others’ expertise and engaging with growers outside of New Zealand. This project has given individuals in the group the encouragement and support to try new things and get out of their comfort zones, creating paradigm shifts in the way they think about their farming systems.

Group spokesperson James Halford, Methven, says that without their GLC facilitator Donna Lill, they wouldn’t exist. “She has been an absolute stalwart”. He also thanked FAR for the GLC initiative.

All winners