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2013 OTAGO
Mitchell Webster Group
Jock Webster, Nick Webster, and Peter Mitchell
SUPREME AWARD WINNERS
ALSO WINNERS OF:
HILL LABORATORIES HARVEST AWARD
MASSEY UNIVERSITY DISCOVERY AWARD
BALLANCE AGRI-NUTRIENTS: NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AWARD
This intensive cropping operation and wholesale
business producing bird and small animal feed is
based on the Mitchell family’s historic ‘Rosedale’
farm at Weston, but covers 1380ha of arable land
in North Otago.
Ballance Farm Environment Awards National Sponsors
It is, according to the award judges, “a credit to the Mitchell
and Webster families, an extraordinary and inspirational family
business that has withstood the test of time”.
The formal business association between the two families
began in 1972. Peter Mitchell’s father Ross, who retired from the
business 18 months ago, suggested to Nick Webster’s father Jock
that they join forces. Ross was farming with his brother Bruce
on Rosedale, the land their family had settled in 1871. Jock had
decided he preferred farming to being a scientist for Crop &
Food Research. As a schoolboy Jock had worked on the Mitchell
property and there was another connection to come – Ross
married Jock’s older sister Ainslie.
“They knew each other pretty well and had identified each
other’s skill sets,” explains Nick, “they saw they could do better
together than as individuals.” The partnership flew in the face of
doubters and the collaborative approach has imprinted on the
next generation, with their sons Peter and Nick now integral to
what is a solid and diverse operation.
The group is made up of two businesses. The birdseed and small
animal feed business is Topflite Ltd. Mitchell & Webster Ltd is
the growing arm, specialising in the production of sunflower
Regional Partners

•
Exceptional
•
Remarkable
•
Long-term
Very
Mitchell Webster Group
Jock Webster, Nick Webster, and Peter Mitchell
SUPREME AWARD WINNERS (continued)
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
and canary seed but also
growing feed wheat, barley,
ryegrass, hybrid rape,
potatoes, and, to meet the
market for the growing dairy
industry in the area, lucerne,
grass and maize for silage and
fodder beet for grazing.
The group owns about 700ha
between Weston and Totara
and currently either leases
or sharefarms 680ha. 600ha
of their own land and 50ha
of leased land is irrigated.
Contour is mainly rolling
downlands. There are 18 fulltime
employees but at busy
times up to 40 people can be
on the payroll.
Jock, Peter and Nick are directors of both companies and there
is an independent advisor involved on each board. Topflite’s
advisor has marketing and retail experience and Mitchell
& Webster’s is a farm consultant. The judges commented:
“Remarkable in-business practice, clear lines of communication
and demarcation of roles through the development of a formal
business structure, maintaining a strong business partnership
between the two families.”
Jock oversees Topflite, a company that grew out of drought
and high interest rates in the 1980s. Casting around for
diversification to firm up their income, Jock and Ross began by
growing sunflowers for their seeds. They then formed Topflite
and the company now sells around 1600 tonnes of birdseed
mixes and associated products annually in Australasia. They use
all the canary and sunflower seed they grow and also buy in
other raw material to make products.
Nick and Peter work together running the farming company. Just
as their fathers did before them, they share the load effectively.
“We know each others strengths and weaknesses and try to work
to them,” says Nick. “Pete is great with detail and technology so
he takes care of the agronomy and financing and I enjoy people
so my focus is the staff and our outside relationships.”
The judges were impressed with the sustainable cropping
regime, noting some areas had been cropped since 1968. This
was achieved through monitoring and recording of inputs and
outputs and careful management of water and soil resource,
they said.
The two families place great importance on community and
industry contribution, and family time. They are all involved in a
wide range of school, sporting and industry groups.
Jock was a leading force in the establishment of the North
Otago Irrigation Company (NOIC) Scheme which, when it was
established in 2006, changed the security of farming in the
drought-prone Waiareka Valley forever.
Peter has developed close links with the Foundation for Arable
Research through contributing to crop trials and taking advantage
of their research. He has been elected to the FAR board.
Jock’s wife is Helen, they have three adult children, Nick, Greg
and Jane. Nick and his wife Kate have two daughters, Grace (3)
and Georgia (2). Peter and his wife Sandra have two sons, Henry
(18) and William (16).
management of a large-scale operation; leaders in industry diversification through creation of ‘Topflite’ business.
in-business practice; clear communication and demarcation of roles and responsibilities; recognition of strengths.
sustainability focus through research and crop trials; wise rotations and agri-chemical use; comprehensive monitoring.
strong community involvement; insistence around family time; strong business partnership between two families.

•
Profitable,
•
Emphasis
•
Excellent
Practical
Terry and Jacqui Carr (Equity Managers)
Argyll Dairy Farm Partnership
LIC DAIRY FARM AWARD
MERIDIAN ENERGY EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Carrs, who drive this 1150 cow South Otago
dairy business, are “a true partnership” according
to the award judges.
The couple complemented each other, said the judges, who listed
a highlight as “the passion demonstrated by Terry for technology
and energy efficiency and Jacqui in staff management, health
and safety, recording and maintenance”.
The judges commended Terry and Jacqui’s management and
“exceptional” business planning. They wrote: “Your drive and
determination to succeed was evident and has resulted in a top
performing, profitable business.”
The property is 362ha (332ha effective) at Clydevale, north west
of Balclutha and in its fifth season since conversion from a sheep
and deer fattening unit. There are two 54-bale rotary cowsheds.
Production last season was 1407 kgs/MS per effective hectare.
Terry and Jacqui work with the contract milkers Chris and
Sandra Campbell who are in their second season on the
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
place. For the past three years Terry has also been a senior
supervisor for the MyFarm dairy syndicate. The judges noted,
“an exceptional relationship between the contract milkers and
owners” and considered, “Terry’s role with MyFarm gives him a
unique perspective enabling benchmarking to further improve
productivity”.
The judges noted the focus on optimising cow performance
with careful attention to details ranging from pasture cover
and quality monitoring to lane design minimising time walking
between sheds and grazing.
The Clutha River runs along 4.5kms of the farm boundary. The
river is, says Terry, “both an asset and a risk”. Their land contains
a designated flood zone meaning in the event of a flood it
has to go under water to prevent Balclutha doing so. This also
means there can be no further flood protection earthworks
undertaken for the farm without consent, so planning for the
conversion was critical.
The judges were impressed that the development of fencing
and other infrastructure enabled stock to be moved and well
fed during a flood event. In addition the fencing has provided
“optimum flexibility for future grazing, cropping and irrigation
while making every effort to retain existing amenity planting”.
The Argyll partnership is future proofed from many angles
and structured for succession through flexible systems. The
two milking sheds and fencing placement means the property
could be smoothly split should an investor need to release their
capital. These considerations are especially important, the Carrs
believe, when working with multiple business partners.
Terry and Jacqui have three adult children Brook, Ashlee and
Laura.
productive large scale dairy farm; clear objective to be in top five percent of industry; focus on long-term profitability.
on monitoring and recording, effectively driving results; careful farm and shed design to improve efficiencies.
staff management, support, training and communication; commendable commitment to community and industry groups.
choices to farm for the long term; addition of second shed, contingency planning around five year projected income.

•
High
•
Inherent
•
Careful
Excellent
Alistair and Duncan Campbell and families
Earnscleugh Station Ltd
BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND LIVESTOCK AWARD
OTAGO REGIONAL COUNCIL SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AWARD
ALLIANCE QUALITY LIVESTOCK AWARD
The Campbells clearly have a deep understanding
of their environment and an absolute commitment
to long-term sustainability on their 21,000ha
Central Otago property.
Whilst describing Earnscleugh as a “brittle environment”, the
award judges praised this father and son working partnership
“that works very well”. The judges wrote: “Your determination
to succeed, hard work and ability to manage a sustainable
business in such a harsh environment is commendable. Your
passion and enthusiasm for your stock is evident and has been
realised through an exceptionally successful and well-recognised
stud stock enterprise.”
Alistair and Duncan share a passion for breeding; they have beef
cattle and merino sheep studs. “We’re not really machinery
minded, we just love stock,” says Alistair. Duncan manages the
property now but father and son share the stud work. “It’s
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
fantastic to have someone else who knows the individual stock,”
says Alistair, “we can talk for hours!”
Through Earnscleugh Station Lands Ltd, Alistair and Judith, with
Duncan and their daughter Jessica (a Dunedin accountant), farm
26,000su on the property. The rolling to steep contoured station
begins near the western banks of the Clutha River at Alexandra
and runs over the Old Man Range as far as the Otago Southland
region boundary. Altitude is 167m to 1706m ASL. Rainfall at the
station’s iconic brick homestead averages just over 300mm
annually, though this figure is around 762mm at mid altitude and
up to 1778mm in the tops.
Duncan came home to the farm 10 years ago with an agricultural
science degree, stud work in Australia and overseas travel to his
credit. Alistair and Judith purchased Earnscleugh in 1981 with the
support of several urban business partners who they eventually
bought out in 2003. Alistair says he chose the property because
it was, at that time, “the best sweet warm merino country I
could get”.
However, the rabbits also liked Earnscleugh. Comments
Alistair wryly, “unfortunately the best merino places are also
the best rabbit places.” Between the mid 1980s and mid 1990s
Earnscleugh’s future hung in the balance. The station went
from carrying 22,000su down to 13,000su. At mid altitude the
rabbits were “a seething mass” recalls Alistair. “It was a terrible,
frightening time.”
They joined forces with the Government and regional council
to wage war on the rabbits. “I could see we were either going to
go broke, or get rid of the rabbits. Without the influence of the
business partners the bank may well have sold us up.”
performing livestock operation with clear objectives for stock to be in top 10 percent of their class.
understanding of land use capabilities of the property; development of a grazing system well within environmental limitations.
management of biodiversity and vegetation cover through exceptional monitoring and recording to suit stock type/environment.
monitoring, recording and benchmarking of animal health; efficient nutrient management.

•
Extraordinary
•
Adaptation
•
Long
Excellent
Alistair and Duncan Campbell and families
Earnscleugh Station Ltd
BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND LIVESTOCK AWARD
OTAGO REGIONAL COUNCIL SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AWARD
ALLIANCE QUALITY LIVESTOCK AWARD
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
Then Alistair put two full-time
rabbiters on the payroll; Maurice
Williamson and Kevin Boyle.
Slowly their efforts, combined
with ongoing specialised grazing
management, turned the tide
against the rabbits.
Maurice and Kevin have since
retired but the station still
employs one full-time rabbiter,
Bill Linwood. “We owe the
fact that we are still here to the
work of those rabbiters,” Alistair
candidly. “Now, every single
management decision on this
property puts rabbits first.”
The judges commented: “Have managed to keep cover on low
altitude country even during droughts, this deters rabbits and
protects the soil. Outstanding rabbit control in one of the
most challenging environments in Otago. Have transformed
the property and continue to understand the importance of
maintaining rabbits at low numbers.”
The Campbells have three cattle studs. Alistair and Judith
brought their Hereford stud when they came to Earnscleugh.
They began the Angus stud in 1998 and Composite the following
year. About 100 bulls are sold each year.
The Earnscleugh merino stud is, as Alistair explains it, “actually
seven studs within one”. They currently have 2500 stud ewes
ranging from ultrafine to strong polls, carrying fertility and
muscle genes.
Alistair calls himself “a risk taker” and says he aims to pre-empt
what the market will be wanting in 10 years. “There’s no use
breeding what is popular at the time because that’s not giving
yourself long enough to produce quality. When you get the
market anticipation right, you can do very well,” he says. He
points out the market advantage in the fact they were identifying
ultrafine sheep as early as 1981, and as far as he knows, this wasn’t
done in Australia until the mid 1990s.
Noted the judges: “The stud operation is an integral and high
performing part of the business, both financially and physically.
Outstanding management of a vast property, running often
complex groups of stock through excellent monitoring systems
and constant review against benchmarks, both internal and
external to the property.”
Six weeks of spring growth is crucial to farming a property like
Earnscleugh. “We could survive on six inches (152mm) of a rain
a year if it came every spring,” says Alistair. It is a testimony to
farming experience and perseverance that in the past 10 years
they survived an eight-year period with little or no spring rain.
“That drought broke 18 months ago, fortunately,” says Alistair.
“It was pretty tough, first we had to send stock away because of
the rabbits, then because of the spring drought.”
The judges described the Campbells’ knowledge of differing
land use capabilities as “exceptional”. They wrote: “Impressive
integration of stock class and type, optimising soil and climate
limitations throughout the year. Focus on long term sustainability
– extremely profitable low cost operation demonstrated by the
continued ability to profit despite eight years of dry springs.”
Duncan and his wife Amanda have two children, Blake (1) and
baby Holly.
dedication and resolve regarding rabbit control; forethought to future irrigation management.
to meet market requirements; wise use of technology to improve performance and advance genetics.
term financial sustainability; prudent use of benchmarking to improve performance, off-farm investments, succession planning.
relationships with employees, high staff retention and a strong commitment to community and industry groups.

•
Progressive
•
Pride
•
Incredible
Wise
Stuart and Lorraine Duncan, Graeme and Alison Duncan
Penvose Farms
PGG WRIGHTSON LAND AND LIFE AWARD
WATERFORCE INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AWARD
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
The Duncans are
clearly relishing the
diverse format of their
agri-business that
encompasses tourism,
crossbred and halfbred
sheep, deer, an Angus
cattle stud and equity
partnership dairying in
Central Otago.
The award judges praised the Duncans’ approach, describing
their business as “a progressive family farming operation”. They
wrote: “Your passion and enthusiasm for a very profitable and
productive business was evident. The judges were particularly
impressed with the diversity of the business and your ability to
manage this effortlessly.”
This is a forward-thinking, refreshingly optimistic family. “You
don’t drive down the road looking backwards do you,” quips
Stuart with the time-honoured dry rural wit enjoyed by the
many visitors to their 1900ha farm and associated Rail Trail and
tourist accommodation.
However, the Duncans do look backwards, to honour their family
history. Stuart is proud fourth generation on the original block
at Wedderburn that was taken up by Duncans in 1894. Stuart’s
great-grandfather David and his two brothers split three ways,
with only David’s block staying in long-term family ownership.
Stuart and Graeme are proud that on their watch they have
purchased land to put that original Duncan brothers’ block
back together, and added two more properties. In addition a
‘Daughters Trust’ with a range of assets is in place for Stuart’s
three sisters, as part of succession.
Their Wedderburn Cottages is the largest accommodation
business on the Rail Trail. They are equity partners in an 1150
cow Maniototo dairy farm, with an ownership grouping Stuart
and Lorraine instigated. On Penvose Farms they winter around
12,600su. The mix in recent years has been a nod to favouring
halfbred hoggets for rewarding Smartwool contracts and
includes 6400 ewes, 3800 hoggets, 400 cattle and 450 hinds
plus their weaners. Height on the farm ranges between 550m
ASL and 1000m ASL. Rainfall averages 533mm annually but the
construction of a dam, covering 12ha, and the use of centre
pivot irrigation mitigates the dry climate.
The western boundary of Penvose Farms reaches up Rough
Ridge. Contour is Central Otago hill country. The judges noted:
“Low intensity management is helping preserve the values of
the upland tussock block. There is good eastern falcon breeding
habitat and coral broom habitat in this area.” There are two blocks
of tussock (340ha and 370ha) on good easy rolling country. Says
Stuart, “it sits there like a nature park.”
Stuart credits the excellent working relationship of Lorraine and
his parents for the success of their tourism arm. They are actively
involved with the hospitality offered daily, and gradually the
youngest Duncans are also. Ellie is 12, Mitchell (10) and Todd (8).
“For the first time in about 10 years the wool income passed the
tourism income last season,” says Stuart. “We are very aware
the two are connected; tourism is not going away, but the farm
attracts the tourism.”
farming family operation performing in top 10 percent of land class; dedicated to long term stewardship.
and passion for the area, land and history; responsible management protecting biodiversity and heritage.
foresight in early development of water storage, district leaders in adopting efficient water use technology.
use of business diversity; strategic use of capital and off farm investments; outstanding return on capital.

•
Sustainable
•
A
•
Intergenerational
A
Tom and Jan Pinckney
Northburn Station
DONAGHYS FARM STEWARDSHIP AWARD
In the heart of Central Otago, overlooking Lake
Dunstan just north of Cromwell, the Pinckneys
run a traditional high country merino operation
with some significant added extras.
In addition to 10,000su of merino sheep and beef cattle, Tom
and Jan have established a biodynamic vineyard, which has just
gained BioGro organic certification. They also grow organic fruit
and vegetables and have established a function venue and wine
and farmgate shop known as ‘The Shed’.
After a visit to the property the award judges wrote: “Your
passion for the property and its history was evident, and the
way you are showcasing this to the public through The Shed
is commendable. The judges noted that you, in combination
with great staff, are moving the property toward a more
sustainable future whilst providing exceptional stewardship of
the biodiversity that it has.”
Northburn is an 8500ha freehold property purchased by the
Pinckney family in 1993. In 2006, as part of a succession plan,
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
Tom and Jan began farming it in their own right, but they were
already firmly established on the place. Between 1999 and 2001
they planted 23ha of grapes; in 2001 they took up the leases for
adjoining properties ‘Waenga’ and ‘Leaning Rock’, bringing their
holding to 13,000ha. The Shed was opened at the end of 2008.
Jan was a Queenstown restaurateur when the couple met, so,
explains Tom, “it was logical to utilise her considerable skills”.
The couple have a daughter Olivia (13) and two sons Nic (12) and
Sam (9).
The altitude on the Pinckney land ranges from 200m to 1647m
ASL. Northburn’s annual average rainfall is just over 300mm; Tom
says NIWA has officially pronounced it “the driest place in New
Zealand”. They did run 13,000su but about five years ago made a
deliberate decision to drop 3000su. “I did the financial analysis
and talked to wise locals,” says Tom. “I realised the right thing to
do was the traditional Central Otago way of a low stocking rate
for higher per head performance.”
Tony Holder is the farm manager. In The Shed and Northburn’s
vineyard/winery there are seven full time and 10 part time staff.
Casuals are employed seasonally over all three arms of the
business. The judges noted that the Pinckneys “recognise the
value tourism activity provides for the wider community as well
as for the farm, through providing employment.”
They commended Tom and Jan’s awareness of protecting
important biodiversity, ecological and historic values on the
property. When the Pinckneys purchased Northburn they were
approached by the QEII National Trust to consider placing an
open space covenant over the historic Cockayne Plots. Just over
three hectares of these early 20th century semi-arid grassland
research plots are now protected and preserved.
and integrated management of a diverse property; inherent understanding of distinct climates, and property limitations.
well-developed business structure with defined roles and responsibilities; strong links with external advisors.
thinking and planning; strategic water monitoring, planning and use; diversification into vineyard and hospitality.
strong desire to protect and enhance heritage and biodiversity.

THE AWARDS
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are designed to encourage farmers to support and adopt sustainable farming practices.
The awards are now held in Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Manawatu/Whanganui, Greater Wellington, Canterbury,
Southland and Otago.
This is their tenth year in Otago. The 2013 Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards were held at The Venue, Wanaka on Friday 12th
of April 2013.
THE AIM
The aim of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards is to encourage and support farmers to pursue good environmental practices.
When farmers enter the awards, a team of judges visit the farm and discuss the entire farming operation. The awards are designed
to be a positive experience for everyone, an exchange of information and ideas, and a chance for farmers to get information and
advice from the various judging representatives.
FIELD DAY
A BFEA field day will be held at Rosedale farm on
Wednesday the 15th of May.
Name: Jock Webster, Nick Webster,
and Peter Mitchell
Where: Mitchell Webster Group (Rosedale)
213 Airedale Road
Oamaru
For details, contact:
Camille McAtamney
Otago Regional Coordinator
Phone: 03 418 3972
Mobile: 027 418 3414
Email: otago@bfea.org.nz
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BALLANCE
FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS, VISIT: www.bfea.org.nz
Ballance Farm Environment Awards National Sponsors Regional Partners