East Cost Farm Enviro Awards

Alex and Megen Campbell of Awapapa Station — guided by a strong vision for the land, its livestock and people.Picture supplied

The 2024 East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards finalists have been announced and three of the seven finalists are from Gisborne.

A special awards presentation night will be held at The Vines at Bushmere Estate at Matawhero on March 6.

The Gisborne finalists are —

Jeremy and Laura Watson
Monowai Station, Waimata

Jeremy and Laura are building on an extensive family legacy to ensure Monowai Station is striking a balance between business performance and conservation, an awards spokesperson said.

“Their  735-hectare (578ha effective) Gisborne sheep and beef farm is being managed in a way that shifts and grows to meet the market and consumers.

“Laura is the fourth generation of the Savage family to farm Monowai Station, which was purchased by her great-grandfather in 1926.

“Today, she and Jeremy operate a breeding and finishing operation, along with a terminal ram stud.

“A key to their success is keeping up with regulation and policies, efficiently adapting as needed.

“They’re also focused on improving pasture quality, while protecting the fragile soils through careful erosion control, conscious stock management and reducing inputs.”

The couple run 1450 ewes and an Angus-based cow herd of 185, with sires carefully selected for genetic and composition gains.

“The ewe flock is efficient and productive, meaning Jeremy and Laura have been able to sustainably reduce numbers and inputs over time — ultimately reducing the station’s emissions,” she said.

The judges were impressed with their excellent long-term planning, including a focus on keeping the farming system simple.

“At the same time, they are open to exploring new approaches to ensuring practices are tailored to the land.

“Their connection with the local catchment group has enabled them to dive into environmental projects, building on the conservation work of the generations before them.

“This includes tree planting in erosion-prone areas, allowing gullies to regenerate into native bush and carrying out extensive predator control.”

To date, they’ve restored four wetlands, fenced more than 5km of waterways and wetlands, and planted 30,000 native trees.

“Being the caretakers of a multi-generational farm is important to this couple,” the spokesperson said.

“Just as the environment was enhanced by family members before them, Jeremy and Laura are committed to building on that work to continue improving the property for future generations to enjoy and profit from.

Alex and Megen Campbell
Awapapa Station, Hangaroa

“The family behind Awapapa Station is being successfully guided by a strong vision for the land, its livestock and people – ultimately protecting, developing and sharing it with others,” says the awards  spokesperson.

The Campbell family has been involved with Awapapa Station since the 1960s, leading by example with their commitment to protecting this fragile and vulnerable region.

“Today, Alex and Megen are managing the 441ha effective farm, enhancing the contributions of previous generations through a balanced approach that goes beyond making a profit. This includes a horse breeding and handling project which has attracted international attention.

“Scientific studies confirm a massive reduction in erosion at Awapapa, thanks to about one-third of the station being covered in trees.”

This meant it was relatively unscathed by extreme weather events, particularly last year’s Cyclone Gabrielle.

“The cyclone prompted a Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use in Tairawhiti which highlighted a region in crisis, critical erosion risk and social trauma.

“Ultimately, it recommended urgent remedial action — in terms of both protective and productive land use, and the Campbells are decades ahead of the inquiry’s findings,” the awards spokesperson said.

“Their deep knowledge of aesthetics, how to enhance biodiversity and control erosion is a striking example of hope for the region.

“Today about 85 percent of the station is devoted to livestock which are protected by the extensive poplar plantings.

“The remaining land has been retired and planted in a mosaic of tree species, including a growing amount of mature and regenerating native bush.

“Regularly achieving financial results above the district average, Megen and Alex focus on a simple, practical stocking policy and forward-focused farming practices.

“Within their forward planning and dedication, they’re proudly following the Treaty of Waitangi’s principles of protection, participation and partnership.”

Roger and Caly White
Cheviot Hills, Waerenga-o-Kuri

“At Cheviot Hills, the Whites are focused on developing a low-input sheep and beef business that balances profit with the health of the environment and people.”

Third-generation farmers Roger and Caly have been farming the 548ha (526 ha effective) property since 1990.

“There’s an emphasis on breeding, supported by fattening — with 60 percent of income derived from sheep and the balance coming from beef,” the spokesperson said.

“Using a flexible stocking policy, they have a low-input, grass-only approach. The judges commended it for being a strong farming operation that works alongside the environment to create healthy and productive stock.

“The sheep flock is highly productive and healthy, partially due to good practices around limited drenching.”

The judges said Roger White “thinks outside the box” when it comes to trying new breeds of stock and trialing different approaches, for example, running Kiwi-cross cows which are small in build but good producers of milk.

“There’s a strong focus on managing both soil nutrients and water quality.

“When it comes to water, the reticulated supply is continually being developed and they’ve started fencing off waterways,” the spokesperson said.

The judges commended the couple’s long-term commitment to conservation, including the ongoing management of a 5ha block that is protected by a QEII National Trust covenant and features a significant range of native trees.

Biodiversity corridors are being created for bird life, while steep gullies have been fenced off for planting.

“The farm does not have a dump, with the couple preferring to recycle as much as they can,” she said.

“Cheviot Hills is intertwined into the lives of Caly and Roger, with their personal ambitions and goals reflected through the business.

“They want to continue maintaining the property’s resources so they and future generations can continue farming there.”

The other four finalists are from Hawke’s Bay. They are Ben and Libby Tosswill, Birch Hill Station; Simon and Josi Beamish and Hugo and Pip Beamish from Awapai Station; Bruce and Sally McGregor from Pakaututu and Duncan and Caroline Kirk from Hahana Farm.