Leading sheep and beef farmers recognised in 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards

Wednesday, 15 Apr 2026 // Awards

Outstanding efforts in rural innovation and sustainable practice have been recognised in the regional Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

image of Beef+Lamb New Zealand Livestock Award Castle Ridge Station Ben and Samantha Harmer, Alan Thomson(P), Paul & Kerry Harmer

B+LNZ Chief Executive Alan Thomson (centre) with the Harmer family of Castle Ridge Station.

Sheep and beef farmers were well-represented among the winners, including five being named as Regional Supreme Winners. Along with the other six regional winners, who were from the horticulture and diary sectors, they will go forward to the national finals in Christchurch in July.

The national winner will take home the prestigious Gordon Stephenson Trophy and become 2026 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Thomson says the awards showcase excellent growing and farming practices.

“The Ballance Farm Environment Awards give farmers the opportunity to tell their story to a wider audience and showcase the great work going on behind farm gates to drive efficiencies and reduce farming’s environmental footprint.

“I loved attending the Canterbury and Northland region awards this year and was impressed at the passion shown by all the entrants. I’ve been involved in this industry for 40 years and the incredible work that is happening on farms across the motu every day never fails to inspire me.”

B+LNZ supports the Ballance Farm Environment Awards as part of our commitment to sustainable farming that develops practical solutions to support farm business goals as well as caring for the environment.

This year’s Regional Supreme Winners include sheep and beef farmers who have demonstrated outstanding land stewardship. They have protected wetlands, carried out extensive waterway protection and riparian planting, enhanced their biodiversity, planted natives.

Use of technology and improvements in animal welfare, along with advances in productivity have also been showcased.

“Congratulations to the sheep and beef farmers who were regional winners – Donald and Kirsten Watson of Morelands Pastoral (Auckland), Jon and Fiona Sherlock of Otorohaea Ltd (Waikato), Jamie and Nicky Gaddum of Matangi Station (East Coast), Kerry and Paul Harmer of Castle Ridge Station (Canterbury), and Tony and Michelle Roberts & Kate Roberts and Mark Lieshout of Top Deck Trading (Southland). I wish them all the best for the national finals,” Alan says.

B+LNZ Livestock Farm Award

B+LNZ is proud to sponsor the Livestock Farm Award as part of the regional Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

This Award recognises livestock farmers (other than dairy) who demonstrate in a practical way the choices they have made to farm for the long term. The judging criteria include the wise use of land, labour and capital resources. Stock must be well-cared for and class and type well suited to the land contour and soil type.

“B+LNZ Livestock Farm Award winners this year are drawn from a wide range of farming styles, from high country stations to small, diversified operations. Collectively, they show that excellence in animal stewardship is essential to good farming practice, and plays a part in reducing the property’s environmental footprint while building a profitable business,” Alan says.

“I congratulate all the winners for the exemplary care they take of their livestock and their land.”