A major sponsor of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards has pulled their sponsorship from the 2010 competition.
Silver Fern Farms has decided not to renew its financial support of the National Livestock Award category.Chief executive Keith Cooper says the decision was not taken lightly and adds the company still endorses the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust's well intentioned and inspirational role which they have enjoyed over the years.

Jim Cotman, chairman, New Zealand farm Environment Trust.

'However the structure of the awards meant it was difficult for Silver Fern Farms to extract the value we require to justify its expense in the current economic climate.”
Trust chairman Jim Cotman says he is disappointed and describes the decision by SFF as unexpected.
'Especially considering it comes at a time when industry and farmer support for the awards is at an all-time high.”
The 2010 competition opened for entries recently, but Jim says the decision will not affect the competition, although he expressed disappointment at the timing of the announcement.
'Personally I'm pretty disappointed with the lack of forward notice because this year's entry forms were already printed and in the market place.”
NZFEA Trust general manager David Natzke says a proposal has already gone out to a potential replacement sponsor for the livestock award category and he hopes to be able to make an announcement soon.