Here they’ll have to pick a winner from; a fast-selling and innovative performance equine feed that started out as an idea on a date; a vertically integrated sawmilling business with impressive environmental and productivity credentials; and a traditional sheep station that has pursued a boutique fibre business with crafters and home spinners in mind.
And that’s only the finalists from two of the nine awards categories, Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland said.
He said the awards ceremony on July 3 at Tākina, Wellington’s new Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be the highlight of the fifth annual PINZ Summit.
“There were 65 award nominations this year and they underline the amazing diversity, commitment and cutting-edge science that underpin our nation’s primary industries.
“It’s little wonder that our primary food and fibre products are so highly regarded in the intensely competitive international marketplace when, through these awards, you get a glimpse into the dedication and focus our researchers, producers, processors, innovators and governors invest in being the best they can be.”
The Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award will also be revealed on July 3.
In the running is Lincoln University Honorary Professor of Agri-Food Systems Keith Woodford, a man who has done much to foster the integration of production with agribusiness; Dr Tim Mackle, who at the end of June finishes a 15-year stint and immense contribution as DairyNZ chief executive; and Julian O’Brien who has produced TVNZ’s Country Calendar since 2005 - and began working on it in the 1980s.
However, one of the most hotly contested categories was the Technology Innovation Award, Copeland said.
Finalists are Levno for Milk, an IoT technology and software-driven system to maximise the production and quality of milk; DairySmart NZ, an initiative involving everyone from RFID data specialists to microbiologists to lower antibiotic use; and E-bin, a University of Waikato project that uses robotics to help the human workforce with kiwifruit harvesting.
“I don’t envy the judges deciding who the winners should be but I know the awards night and the PINZ Summit will be a showcase of everything that is great in our agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors,” Copeland said.
2023 Primary Industries New Zealand Awards finalists
Team & Collaboration Award (BASF)
- DairyNZ - Tararua Plantain Project
- Hill Country Futures Programme - co-funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, MBIE, RAGT NZ and PGG Wrightson Seeds
- Wai Kōkopu - Tipu Whenua - Digital Farm Plan
Science & Research Award (Yashili)
- AgResearch - The AgResearch Endophyte Discovery Team
- Massey University of New Zealand - Project Vitality - Pāmu Deer Milk
- Maui Milk New Zealand - Southern Cross Index (SXI)
Technology Innovation Award (Asure Quality/Kaitiaki Kai)
- Levno - Levno for Milk
- DairySmart NZ Ltd - James Bourke
- University of Waikato - The e-Bin human-assisted harvesting project
Emerging Leader Award (Lincoln University)
- Dr Louise Hennessy, Scientist, AgResearch
- Laura Koot, Executive Director, The Fairlight Foundation
- Dylan Miller, Regional Manager Livestock NI, Alliance Group Ltd
Fibre Producer Award (FMG)
- Grains & Gains Co
- OneFortyOne - Kaituna Sawmill
- Rewa Rewa Station
Food & Beverage Producer Award (Kotahi)
- Headwaters NZ Limited - Head Waters Brand Story
- Sanford Ltd - Big Glory Bay Salmon
- Silver Fern Farms Ltd - Silver Fern Farms
Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award (AgResearch)
- Professor Keith Woodford, Honorary Professor of Agri-Food Systems, Lincoln University
- Dr Tim Mackle, chief executive of DairyNZ
- Julian O’Brien, Producer and Director, TVNZ
Guardianship & Conservation Award/Kaitiakitanga Award (Rabobank)
- Graham and Tracey Sinnamon, Farm Managers, Meringa Station - Pāmu Farms
- Adam Thompson, Restore Native Ltd
- Yuriy Soshnikov, Director TranzAlpine Honey New Zealand
Champion Award (PaySauce)
- Dr Dave Leathwick, Scientist, AgResearch
- Ross Wilson, Consultant, AgFirst
- Warwick Catto, Science Strategy Manager and Jamie Strang of Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA)
