First Field Day for Maori Farmer of the Year 2004

First Field Day for Maori Farmer of the Year 2004

The first field day for the 2004 Maori Farmer of the Year competition will be held on Thursday 13th May commencing at 9.30am at the Kuratau Community Hall near the junction of Western Lake Road (Highway 32) and the Turangi – Taumarunui Road (Highway 41).

Wayne Walden, Deputy Chairman of Meat New Zealand, said that the field day will feature the Waituhi Kuratau 1A1B2 Trust and the attributes that contributed to it winning the Central Region competition.

“The two aims for the Maori Farmer of the Year are to recognise excellence in Maori farming and highlight the wider Maori farming community. The regional field days help to realise both these goals.”

The four-man judging panel, led by Bob Cottrell, identified the following features

• Strong governance and leadership with a clear sense of purpose & responsibility to all stake holders.

• A clear 7 year strategic plan.

• Excellent condition of the stock.

• Good planning and monitoring of both animals & pastures.

• An increase of 30% in lambing over 4 years

• Successful introduction of irrigation and a significant development programme including regrassing.

Lunch will be provided along with a barbecue and refreshments at the end of the day.

Participants are asked to bring 4 wheel drive vehicles for touring the farm.
The competition is supported by Te Puni Kokiri, Bank of New Zealand and AgResearch as gold sponsors.

Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Williams and Kettle, Merial and Blue Wing Honda are silver sponsors. In addition a number of bronze sponsors have offered generous support.

Meat New Zealand sponsors a range of initiatives to recognise excellence across the industry, including Young Farmer overseas study programmes, Nuffield scholarships and the Kellogg Leadership Programme.

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