History to Present Day

In 1970, several members of the Hawke's Bay A&P Society began investigating the possibility of organising a farming competition for Hawke's Bay. The gentlemen concerned were: Bunty Williams, Buster Harker, John Nott and the late Ralph Beamish. Through their enthusiasm, hard work and persuasiveness they eventually managed to persuade the A&P Society to promote and organise the competition. They also obtained financial and other support from the Hawke's Bay Stock & Station Agents Association, the Department of Agriculture, Ravensdown Fertiliser and other interested financial and support organisations.

Right at the very start a firm set of rules and objectives were laid down - and these, with only minor changes still apply today.

"To promote high standards of agriculture and pastoral farm management and production, by identifying each year a highly efficient farming operation and farm manager in the Hawke's Bay area, and have their management and farm operation open to inspection at a public Field Day"

the winner of such an award will be a person(s) who carry out a sustainable and profitable farming operation to the full potential of the property he/she is on. This has been proven to be true in the case of all of the 36 winners up to 2008. All have been recognised and honoured with the title of "Hawke's Bay Farmer of the Year" and are well known and highly regarded as top farmers and leaders in the Community.

The continued success of the Competition has been possible because of assistance and sponsorship from a number of organisations, staff of the Ministry of Agriculture (Agriculture New Zealand and now Wrightson Consulting) since 1970, who have undertaken the financial analysis, assisted in organising field judging and organised the Field Day. For the first 15 years, the Hawke's Bay Stock & Station Agents Association sponsored the cash prize award (of $5,000) to the winner. From 1988 PPCS ( Now Silver Fern Farms) have been the major sponsors of the cash award to the winner (of $10,000). Other sponsors and prize awards etc, are now provided by Ravensdown Fertiliser, Rabobankand Ancare NZ.

Today, as in the past, the Silver Fern Farms Hawke's Bay Farmer of the Year competition is looked upon by the farming and business community as a most prestigious award to win and the Field Day is a major event on the farming calendar.

We believe this situation will continue for many years, and top management skills will be found and put on display for the benefit of all farmers in Hawke's Bay.