Beef + Lamb New Zealand congratulates South Taranaki dairy farmer Brendan Attrill on being named this year’s National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing.
Mr Attrill of Caiseal Trust was awarded the title and presented with the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase held in Wellington last month.
As a National Ambassador, Mr Attrill will represent the wider farming and growing community in conversations with Government ministers and leading agribusinesses. He will also represent NZ’s primary sector on an international study tour, funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The judging process for the Gordon Stephenson Trophy considered all eleven Regional Supreme Ballance Farm Environment Award (BFEA) winners. It included on-farm judging and a panel interview, with judges looking for a combination of farming excellence and the ability to articulate informed responses and views on a range of pan sector topics.
Mr Attrill, who milks 350 cows across a 163ha property at Huinga, impressed the judges with his exceptional communication skills and knowledge of different sectors, having had extensive experience, both nationally and internationally, of goat, sheep and beef and dairy farming.
Karen Williams, Chair of the National Judging Panel, commented that Mr Attrill brought a strong environmental focus to the role, considering global environmental issues alongside biodiversity management on his own farm and within the wider community.
“Brendan has undertaken significant wetland restoration and riparian planting with careful consideration of mahingi kai reflected in his planting plans, prioritising weaving flaxes and food gathering species.”
His farm is open to local hapu to make use of this resource.
She also noted that Mr Attrill had a thorough understanding of carbon emissions, in particular the difference between reducing absolute emissions and emissions intensity.
“Brendan certainly knows his numbers and can walk the talk with how this is integrated into his farming operation.”
Mr Attrill of Caiseal Trust was awarded the title and presented with the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase held in Wellington last month.
As a National Ambassador, Mr Attrill will represent the wider farming and growing community in conversations with Government ministers and leading agribusinesses. He will also represent NZ’s primary sector on an international study tour, funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The judging process for the Gordon Stephenson Trophy considered all eleven Regional Supreme Ballance Farm Environment Award (BFEA) winners. It included on-farm judging and a panel interview, with judges looking for a combination of farming excellence and the ability to articulate informed responses and views on a range of pan sector topics.
Mr Attrill, who milks 350 cows across a 163ha property at Huinga, impressed the judges with his exceptional communication skills and knowledge of different sectors, having had extensive experience, both nationally and internationally, of goat, sheep and beef and dairy farming.
Karen Williams, Chair of the National Judging Panel, commented that Mr Attrill brought a strong environmental focus to the role, considering global environmental issues alongside biodiversity management on his own farm and within the wider community.
“Brendan has undertaken significant wetland restoration and riparian planting with careful consideration of mahingi kai reflected in his planting plans, prioritising weaving flaxes and food gathering species.”
His farm is open to local hapu to make use of this resource.
She also noted that Mr Attrill had a thorough understanding of carbon emissions, in particular the difference between reducing absolute emissions and emissions intensity.
“Brendan certainly knows his numbers and can walk the talk with how this is integrated into his farming operation.”