Eight award winners were named on Thursday night (20 August, 2026) and four people/couples were inducted into the Arable Industry Hall of Fame.
Mid Canterbury seed growers John and Mel McCaw are 2026 Arable Farmers of the Year after being recognised as much for their industry leadership as on-farm performance. As well as producing a diverse range of high-quality seed and cereal crops, they are recognised for their exceptional attention to detail, innovation, and commitment to advancing the seed industry. Farming 560 hectares near Methven, the couple are involved in all aspects of the New Zealand seed industry. As well as specialising in herbage seed production (ryegrass and cocksfoot), the family owns McCaw Seeds seed dressing plant. John is also extensively involved in governance roles in the wider seed industry, including chair of Federated Farmers’ herbage seed subsection.
On receiving the award John McCaw said that “if you had to take all the people I socialise with, work with and I respect the most and put them in one room you will have this 2026 Arable Awards dinner. The arable industry has had a couple of tough years, but this is an opportunity to push forward and make changes that will see the industry go from strength to strength in the future. Never let a good crisis go to waste. It is important for the industry to stay positive and not talk itself down."
The McCaw’s also won the Seed Grower of the Year award, which qualified them for judging in the Arable Farmer of the Year.
Cereal Grower of the Year
Cereal Growers of the Year Andrew and Amy Darling farm 500 hectares just south of Timaru.
Receiving the award, Andrew Darling said that “Amy is CEO and I’m the operations manager”. “There is nothing better than to grow a good crop of wheat. You have to do what you love and we love to grow a good crop of wheat". He acknowledged the growers and rural professionals that had provided advice, either in terms of governance, finance or on-farm.
The judges said that Andrew and Amy Darling’s focus on crop management, attention to detail, and continuous improvement have enabled them to consistently achieve exceptionally high yields. Producing crops at this level requires a combination of strong agronomic knowledge, careful planning, and excellent execution throughout the growing season. “Andrew and Amy have demonstrated a dedication to excellence that sets a benchmark for cereal production and reflects the strength of their farming operation,” the judges said.
Maize Grower of the Year
The Maize Grower of the Year award moved south for the first time, with the largest maize grain growing operation in the South Island, run by Mark Shera in Mid Canterbury, recognised.
Mark, who farms with his wife Leigh’s parents, Neville and Andrea Chalmers, at Parkfields Farm, near Ashburton is actively working to build a consistent, long-term market for maize grain in the South Island and promote its use. Parkfields Farm grows 250 hectares of maize as part of a 1,200-hectare arable operation. Supported by a significant dryer and silo complex, the business is recognised as the largest maize grain operation in the South Island, demonstrating both scale and commitment to crop production. Parkfields Farm integrates cropping, livestock, grain drying, storage and year-round supply to customers, creating one of the most comprehensive maize production systems in the country.
The judges were particularly impressed by the scale and professionalism of the operation, the consistent maize yields achieved through careful hybrid selection and crop management, and the continuous focus on improving productivity, water use efficiency, and profitability.
Innovation Award
Marty Skurr is a fourth-generation Canterbury farmer who has added value to his arable business through the development of Minchins Milling, an on-farm stone-ground flour enterprise. By growing, harvesting, milling, marketing and selling their own grain products, Marty and his wife Georgina have created a direct connection with consumers while championing New Zealand-grown grains and innovative value-add opportunities for the arable sector.
Positive Environmental Impact Award
Lovett Family Farms, led by Daniel Lovett near Ashburton, has implemented a comprehensive approach to sustainable farming focused on improving soil health, water-use efficiency, and biodiversity. Through innovative practices, the family has built a resilient farming system while openly sharing its sustainability journey with the wider agricultural community. The large-scale operation grows wheat and barley, specialty seeds, carrots, onions, potatoes and peas.
Agronomist of the Year
Sean Mulligan is an agronomist with PGG Wrightson Seeds who works closely with growers across Mid Canterbury, providing practical advice across a wide range of arable and vegetable seed crops. Known for his knowledge, passion, and collaborative approach, Sean is committed to helping growers achieve successful outcomes while actively contributing to industry initiatives, grower groups, and rural communities.
Working Together
The SCID Rebuild Team brought together representatives from across New Zealand’s vegetable seed industry to deliver a new Seed Crop Isolation Distance system under significant time pressure. Through exceptional collaboration, communication, and commitment, the team successfully rebuilt this critical industry tool, ensuring continued access to crop isolation information that supports high-value seed production and benefits growers and seed companies nationwide.
Hall of Fame
Four people/couples were inducted into the Arable Industry Hall of Fame. These were John McKay, John McKenzie, Eric and Maxine Watson and the late Murray Kelly, who died earlier this year.
Murray Kelly was a senior research agronomist at PGG Wrightson Seeds, where he and his team researched and developed techniques to increase seed yields and improve production.
John McKay is managing director of South Pacific Seeds, which since producing its first crops in 1993, has grown to be New Zealand’s largest vegetable seed production company.
John McKenzie has been a significant figure in New Zealand's pasture seed and forage industry for several decades. In the mid-1980s he recognised the opportunity to create a new proprietary forage seed business in New Zealand; this ‘opportunity’ became Agricom which was sold to PGG in 2005. Following the sale, he played a central role in merging Agricom with other PGG Wrightson Seeds businesses, going on to hold senior roles in PGW. In 2019, PGW Seeds was acquired by DLF and he took on the role of Executive Vice President and CEO for Oceania.
Eric and Maxine Watson, who have farmed at Wakanui, near Ashburton, for over 30 years, have been the growers others aspire to be in terms of production, while being proactive and positive supporters of the arable industry. They are best known for setting the Guinness World Record for wheat yield twice (16.791 tonnes per hectare in 2017 and 17.398 tonnes per hectare in 2020). Eric is an arable innovator who has worked closely with researchers throughout his farming career.