Hawke's Bay folk both up for same sheep industry award

FACING OFF: Jason Roebuck (left) and his team at StockX are up against Mark Warren of Waipari Station for the 2017 Beef and Lamb New Zealand Innovation Award. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A local stock trading company and an entrepreneurial farmer have both been shortlisted as finalists for the same award at his year's Beef and Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards.

Mark Warren of Waipari Station and Havelock North stock trading business StockX will go head to head as the two national finalists for the Innovation Award as part of a group of five Bay entities finalised for several awards earlier this week.

StockX sales and marketing manager Emma Oliver said the team had enjoyed a "fantastic" year already; having been named a finalist for the New Zealand Hi Tech Awards and also winning an Innovation Award at this week's Fieldays in Hamilton.

Speaking from Mystery Creek yesterday, Ms Oliver said being finalised for the Innovation Award had capped of a very rewarding time for the local business.

"It's exciting because we were nominated by one of our own customers so that's someone that thinks we're up there in the best in New Zealand."

Since launching in September 2015, the company had received lots of support with more than 2000 farmers registered with StockX to trade online, she said.

"Everything we do is all in the name of farmers and extracting more value for them ... with the main aim of driving that bottom line."

Also speaking from the Fieldays yesterday, Mr Warren said he was pleased to have been nominated and joked that at least the winner of the innovation award would be someone from Hawke's Bay.

Born in Timaru, Mr Warren, said he had managed the Waipari Station for decades before embarking on an innovative venture to build a boutique brand to sell his lamb.

He said Waipari was the first farm to undertake GAP step 4 accreditation aimed at improving the welfare of animals in agriculture; a programme through which Atkins Ranch sells lamb products through Whole Foods Market in the US and Canada.

"It's not so much about me it's actually the Atkins Branch programme because in a nutshell it's lot of hassle and cost to get the audit done by a crew, Mr Warren said.

"I've actually taken the position of the rooster which came before the chicken and the egg and made the noise and said "Right, I'm going to lead for everybody else and the others can follow"."

Also joining the Innovation Award finalists this year was Hastings sheep genetics business Kelso, retired sheep breeder Tony Parker and Napier-based teacher Rex Neuman, who were named finalists for the AbacusBio New Zealand Maternal Worth Award, Trainer of the Year Award and Significant Contribution Award respectively.

Beef and Lamb New Zealand chief executive officer Sam McIvor said the Sheep Industry awards were an opportunity to celebrate those who had made a significant difference to the productivity and performance of New Zealand's sheep flock.

"A successful sheep industry is built on the combination of people and animals and how they are brought together successfully."

The winners are set to be announced July 5 at a gala dinner in Ascot Park, Invercargill. For more information and to register for the awards go to www.beeflambnz.com