Rick Burke and Jan Loney are opening the gates of their award winning Pukekauri Farm near Katikati to anyone who wants to visit on Tuesday March 25.

The Supreme winners of the 2014 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards hope other farmers and the public will take up the invitation to attend a field day on the 350ha farm in the foothills of the Kaimai Ranges to see just why it's a winner.

Rick Burke and Jan Loney of Katikati are holding an open day at award winning Pukekauri Farm on Tuesday March 25.

Fencing out streams at Pukekauri Farm has enhanced water quality and bird life.

The day is organised by the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards Trust and while there's no charge, it's essential to register for the event.

One of the largest dry stock farms in an orchard dominant region, three main streams run through this easy, gently rolling to steep drystock farm.

Since 1995 these water ways have been progressively fenced out and planted in natives.

Today 110ha of the farm is in covenanted mature native bush, wetlands and riparian planting and 28ha is in plantation pines, redwoods and Cyprus lucitanica. The balance is 212 effective grazing land with shelter trees in exposed paddocks.

Pukekauri is made up of 250ha owned by the Seddon Family Trust, a 50ha joint venture between the Seddon Family Trust and Rick Burke, plus a further 50ha owned by Rick.

The combined properties are farmed by Rick and Jan as one unit to provide an economic and sustainable block.

Rick and Jan run sheep, bull beef and dairy grazers, aiming to obtain the best possible return per kilogram of dry matter from an all-grass system.

Rick says fencing out and protecting marginal parts of the property has improved its overall performance, increased dry matter production on the remaining pasture by two tonne per hectare and added another $40,000 per 100 ha to the bottom line each year.

Pukekauri is now achieving better production, increased fertility, better rotational grazing systems and not wasting fertiliser.

Along with the supreme title, the couple also picked up the Beef + Lamb NZ Livestock Award, WaterForce Integrated Management Award, Donaghys Farm Stewardship Award and a Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Award 2.

The 2014 Field Day will be held on:

When: Tuesday March 25

Where: Pukekauri Farms, 181 Lund Road, RD 2, Katikati

Time: 9.30am to approx. 3.00pm

Morning Tea/Lunch: Provided

What to bring: Hat, bottle of water, sun block

Dress: Please wear appropriate footwear and suitable clothing for changeable weather conditions.

Pukekauri Farms is located at 181 Lund Road, Katikati off Tauranga West Road/State Highway 2, and will be sign posted for you. Click here to be directed to Google Maps.

Please RSVP by Friday March 21 2014

1. [email protected] or on the link below:

Don't forget to R.S.V.P staff and/or family members as well. Remember to indicate the number of people attending for catering purposes.