Competition judging revamped

08-09-2010 | Not Specified

Changes have been made to the judging of the South Island Farmer of the Year competition.

The New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) will help judge the competition.

After a review of the competition it is now open to all farming categories with a focus on innovation. Previously it was rotated between farming categories which meant some farmers had a long wait before their operation was eligible.

Lincoln University Foundation chairman Neil Taylor says the decision to widen the field also led to a review of the judging process.

Bob Simpson, a senior farm management tutor at Lincoln University, has been appointed as the co-ordinator judge. The retired pastoral and cropping farmer is a member of NZIPIM and is an international farming consultant. He also teaches Agricultural ITOs level-five students in Mid-Canterbury.

Taylor says Simpson's credentials put him in good stead to be able to judge entries across the primary sector.

Joining him is Barry Brook, the former chief executive of PGG Wrightson, a fellow of NZIPIM and a registered consultant.

Taylor says Brook has more than 45 years' experience in the rural sector and his area of expertise is in financial and economic analysis of agri-businesses.

Taylor, who is also a NZIPIM registered consultant, is the third judge.

In a bid to ensure the entire primary sector is adequately represented within the judging process, NZIPIM agreed to help judge the first round of the competition.

NZIPIM president Andy Macfarlane says the institute's registered consultants work across the entire primary sector in the South Island. They will help ensure that innovation is judged on its merits - whether it is on a farm, orchard or winery.

Entries close August 15. Each finalist will make a public presentation at Lincoln University on Friday, November 5, then the winner will be announced. Early next year a field day will be held on the winner's farm.

Find out more about the South Island Farmer of the Year competition by visiting www.lincolnuniversityfoundation.org.nz.

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