Patoka dairy farmers Greg and Gail Mitchell have won the Regional Supreme Award at the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
The couple started dairy farming in 1996, moving to Patoka in 2014 to oversee the redevelopment of High Road Dairy farm.
The couple now milk 1,550 cows that produce an average of 600,000kg of milk solids per year.
The judging panel noted the Mitchells’ commitment to continual improvement of sustainability outcomes, including the early adoption of technology where it can help to drive efficiencies in energy, water use and animal health.
The East Coast BFEA event was held on Friday night, this year across two venues, in Napier and Gisborne.
As well as picking up the Supreme Award, the Mitchell’s also won the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award, Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award, Norwood Farming Efficiency Award, and the Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award.
Other winners on the night included Shane Janssen of Punawai Farm who won the NZFET Biodiversity Award; and Tim & Lucie Gilbertson of Waitakai Farm, who won the NZFET Innovation Award.
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Daytime closures of the Saddle Road will take place again this week.
The road will be closed between 9am and 4pm from today through to, and including Thursday, with Friday 10am to 4pm.
Waka Kotahi is undertaking essential maintenance work on the Saddle Road.
Motorists will have to use the Pahiatua Track during the closure times
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The first round of the Hawke’s Bay Club Rugby Competition was held on Saturday, with the Premier Grade in action.
The Aotea prems beat Tamatea, 38-12, while the Central side were beaten by one point in their game against NOBM – 35-34.
