Image: Carrfields Grain & Seed and Machinery team members attend the United Wheatgrowers Competition and Arable Awards Dinner
Last Thursday night the annual United Wheatgrowers Competition and Arable Awards Dinner were held in Christchurch. This industry event celebrates and recognises talent and innovation in the New Zealand Arable sector. Members of our machinery and grain and seed teams went along to show their support. Congratulations to all our nominated clients, the night's finalists and Phil Smith, Carrfields Seed Cereal Production Manager.
“We’re thrilled to see our varieties excelling in these awards. The first-place Milling Wheat "Cochise" is now in stock and available for growers. We're committed to finding new varieties suited to New Zealand conditions and will introduce some exciting options to the market next year. Developed in collaboration with our partner KWS in the UK, these varieties are designed to help our growers consistently reach high standards” said Phil Smith, Carrfields Seed Cereal Production Manager.
United Wheatgrowers Competition
The United Wheatgrowers Competition had four categories, including Premium Milling Wheat, Milling Wheat, Feed Wheat, and Biscuit Wheat. Many award winners are Carrfields customers who grow our cereal seed varieties. These outstanding results demonstrate that Carrfields cereal varieties are strong options that perform at the top of their game.
Award winners include:
• 1st place for Milling Wheat: William Thomson from Somerton with the Cochise variety.
• 2nd place for Milling Wheat: Alistair and Scott Clemens from Methven, with the Raffles variety.
• 1st place for Feed Wheat: Peter and Stephen Blain from Strathern Farm in Ashton with the Dawsum variety. They were also awarded “Grand Champion Wheat Crop” which is the winner of all the categories combined.
• 2nd place for Feed Wheat: Ross Richards, from Viewmount Farm in Methven with the Extase variety.
If you are interested in growing any of these varieties, please visit our website to get the phone number of your regional Agronomist www.carrfields.co.nz/our-divisions/grain-seed/our-team.
Arable Awards Dinner
The Arable Awards Dinner occurred after the United Wheatgrowers Competition winner's presentation. There were nine awards categories, and we’d like to recognise our customers and partners below:
• Winner of Cereal Grower of the Year: Peter Hewson from Esk Valley Farming.
• Finalist of Cereal Grower of the Year: Morgan and Karen Horrell from MKH Farming.
• Finalist of Cereal Grower of the Year: Brad Lindsay from Arhee Farming.
• Winner of Arable Farmer of the Year and Winner of Maize Grower of the Year: Simon Nitschke from Arable Solutions.
• Finalist of Maize Grower of the Year: Mark Shera from Parkfields Farm.
• Finalist of Positive Environmental Impact Award: Angus McKenzie from Wairuna Farm.
• Winner of Agronomist of the Year: David Weith from Bayer. David also provides training and support for our Arable and Pastoral Agronomists, which is greatly appreciated.
• Winner of Seed Grower of the Year: Scott Rome from Waifield Farm.
• Finalist of Seed Grower of the Year: Tim and James Robinson, Robinson Farming Partnership.
Well done to all those Arable farmers involved in the evening; we look forward to next year's event.