The McFetridge dairy farming family of Omanawa are supreme winners of the 2013 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Their win was announced at an awards dinner at Mount Maunganui's TECT Arena last night when Dennis and Judith McFetridge and their son Gordon also took away four other awards for excellence in sustainable farming.

The farming family of Gordon, Dennis and Judith McFetridge are the supreme winners of the 2013 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

In accepting the awards father and son paid tribute to each other.

Gordon acknowledged the hard work his parents had done in farming the land, especially helping it recover from the disastrous impacts of the collapse of the Ruahihi Canal in 1981.

Dennis praised Gordon for returning to manage the land after university and a stint as a rural banker, bringing with him the benefit of new skills and education.

'Dad and I work well together without having to say too much – some people think we have our own language,” says Gordon.

The farming family were also awarded the LIC Dairy Farm Award, the Massey University Discovery Award, the Waterforce Integrated Management Award and the Meridian Energy Excellence Award. They will now represent the Bay of Plenty at a national level later in the year.

McFetridge Farms Ltd milks 260 cows on the 70ha (effective) ‘Top Farm' and 180 cows on 60ha effective ‘Lower Farm'.

The rolling to steep contour on Lower Farm is well suited to younger cows while the Top Farm, which has flat to rolling contour, is better suited to older cows (four years and older).

Judges said the properties are 'aesthetically pleasing and highly productive” and the challenging topography has been wisely developed for dairy farming.

Difficult sidlings and gullies have been either left in native bush or planted in woodlots.

Both farms have extensive shelterbelts. Riparian plantings have been used to protect and enhance waterways. Areas of native bush have been fenced and now contain a diversity of species. An on-going specimen tree planting programme is also in place.

BFEA judges were impressed with the McFetridges' approach to farm management. Instead of increasing cow numbers they aim to run a lower stocking rate while lifting per cow production.

This has been achieved through improved feeding, better grazing management and a strong focus on animal health.

About 8-10 per cent of the farm is re-grassed annually with improved pasture species. Poorer performing paddocks are successfully cropped with Turnips. Judges also noted the McFetridges' excellent financial control, well-kept herd records and sound relationships with staff.

They said the family's experience and acquired skills in areas like rural banking and water management had been of great benefit to the farming operation.

The McFetridges demonstrate a good understanding of their soils.

Their low stocking rate helps to sustain soils and pasture.

Regular pasture walks are used to assist with grazing management and cropping decisions. Erosion issues have been addressed with assistance from the Regional Council.

Judges were also impressed with the family's 'very effective” effluent management system, which utilises pond storage, eco pumps and travelling irrigators. The McFetridge family have farmed in the district for three generations. Dennis, a JP, and Judith have strong associations with the local community and farming organisations.

Other winners announced last night were: Ballance Agri-Nutrients Nutrient Management Award - Ian and Georgina Lawrence of Nukuhou near Whakatane; Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Award - Landcorp Rotomanhana; Hill Laboratories Harvest Award and PGG Wrightson Land and Life Award - Ben and Heidi Rosewarne of Blueberry Corner, Whakatane; Donaghy's Farm Stewardship Award - Karl and Maggy Buhler of Te Puke; Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environment Awards - Walter and Mary van Rossum of Whakatane and Jeremey and Sharon Cotter of Te Puke; Zespri Kiwifruit Orchard Award - Jeff and Shirley Roderick of Te Puke.

The key objective of the awards is to display to farmers that profitability need not compromise environmental values. Winners of the awards demonstrate that the environment can be both restored and enhanced under profitable farming systems.

An open day will be held at the McFetridge Farm, 788 Omanawa Rd, Tauranga at 9.45 am on Tuesday March 26. For more information visit www.bfe.org.nz