Gallagher's Sponsorship of Innovation Award Comes

Peter Nation, National Sales Manager for Gallagher Animal Management Systems
30.04.09

Gallagher's Sponsorship of Innovation Award Comes to End

The Gallagher Group has decided not to renew its sponsorship of the Innovation Award category in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. But the company remains highly supportive of the annual competition.

Peter Nation, National Sales Manager for Gallagher Animal Management Systems, says the decision to exit the sponsorship was a tough one "because we have a lot of belief in what the awards are about and what they have achieved over the years". He said the company had recently conducted a review of its sponsorship arrangements and decided it was time to move on.

"Gallaghers were involved right back when the Waikato Farm Environment Awards first started and we have been a proud national sponsor for the last seven years. So we would like to think we have contributed in some way to the huge success of the awards."

Gallagher sponsored the Gallagher Innovation Award, which recognised the contribution that innovative ideas and technology made to the economic and environmental sustainability of farm businesses.

Peter Nation says the company's long association with the awards has been beneficial to both parties.

"From Gallagher's point of view, it has enabled us to expand our network of contacts and get alongside a wide range of farmers, farmer organisations and regional councils. Through our relationship with the awards our people have been able to improve their knowledge of environmental issues and better understand some of the challenges farmers face."

New Zealand Farm Environment Award Trust General Manager David Natzke says the NZFEA is "naturally disappointed" to lose a valued key sponsor.

"We understand their reasons and we very much appreciate the support Gallagher has provided to the awards in the past - not just in the form of their sponsorship but also in terms of the time their staff has devoted to the awards."

"An announcement will be made in the near future of a new sponsorship agreement for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards" said Mr Natzke.

Peter Nation says Gallagher's involvement with the awards demonstrated the company was serious about helping to improve the long-term sustainability of New Zealand agriculture. "The Farm Environment Awards are great for New Zealand farmers and for the whole country."

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