1 June 2011

The Lincoln University Foundation’s showcase event – the South Island Farmer of the Year is calling for innovative farmers to enter the 2011 competition.

Lincoln University Foundation chairman Neil Taylor says the competition rewards innovative, efficient and sustainable farmers and farming methods.

“Through raising the profile of innovative farmers, we hope other farmers will consider the application of the innovative ideas so they to can grow their own business and ensure South Island farmers lead the world.”

You can enter or nominate an innovative farmer at www.lincolnuniversityfoundation.org.nz, entries close 1 August.

“Last year’s winners, the Avery family of Seddon epitomised the competition. By integrating animal and plant relationships they attained high performance on what is drought-prone country. Since they won the award they’ve extended their farm and are now transforming more drought-prone country.”

The winner will take home a $15,000 travel/education grant and the runner-up will win a $7,500 travel/education grant. All entrants are in with a chance of taking home, courtesy of TracMap, a TM465 GPS system valued at $6000.

Neil Taylor is pleased to welcome back Ravensdown who has joined RX Plastics, Summit Animal Health, and TracMap in sponsoring the event. “The focus on innovation has attracted like-minded companies to the competition – they will ensure the success of the 2011 competition.”

Ravensdown is 100% farmer-owned and supplies close to half New Zealand’s agriculture fertiliser. Ravensdown provides customers with sound technical advice and a comprehensive range of key farming inputs at the lowest sustainable cost.

RX Plastics from Ashburton is well-known throughout New Zealand and overseas for its unique K-Line irrigation system, PVC, polyethylene and rotamoulded product range, hard-wearing plastic pipe fittings and effluent disposal and treatment systems.

Summit Animal Health’s products are made in New Zealand for New Zealand faming conditions. They provide the country’s farm animals with a supplementary source of sodium and other trace minerals which are essential for production and health.

TracMap, based in Mosgiel, produces award winning global positioning sytsems for New Zealand farming conditions. The GPS systems make operating vehicles and managing staff on the farm easier and more profitable.

You can find out more about the South Island Farmer of the Year competition by visiting www.lincolnuniversityfoundation.org.nz.

ENDS

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