The third annual Arable Awards, a significant event in the arable farming industry, have once again shone a spotlight on the typically quiet sector, with 500 people attending the event at the Wigram Airforce Museum in Christchurch.

The event, held on August 15, was a collaboration between Federated Farmers, the Foundation of Arable Research, United Wheat Growers and the New Zealand Grain & Seed Trade Association (NZGTSA).

Federated Farmers arable chairperson David Birkett said the event was an important way to showcase the sector.

"New Zealand farming, in general, punches above its weight, but this industry, particularly in Mid Canterbury, punches well above its weight, and I don't think that gets celebrated enough."

The prestigious 2024 Arable Farmer of the Year award went across the Strait to Simon Nitschke, a farmer from Manawatū. He also received the Maize Farmer of the Year Award.

Nitschke operates a farm in Marton where he cultivates up to 200 hectares of maize grain and 100 hectares each of wheat and barley.

The judging panel commended Nitschke for achieving exceptionally high yields through his careful selection of cultivars, effective soil fertility management, and efficient resource utilization.

In addition to farming, Nitschke's company, Arable Solutions, has made significant investments in top-of-the-line grain-drying facilities and provides various contracting services.

Nitschke is also actively involved in industry initiatives such as the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) Arable Research Group and the Growers Leading Change programme.

"He can be described as an 'all-rounder' and a very worthy winner of the Arable Farmer of the Year Award," judges said.

In another event highlight, Greendale farmer Syd Worsfold was honoured with induction into the newly established NZ Arable Hall of Fame.

With 40 years of experience in the industry, Worsfold holds the record as the longest-serving director of the United Wheat Growers and played a pivotal role as a founding member of the FAR board.

Worsfold has been described as someone who balances strong opinions with an open mind and is known for his willingness to support and mentor fellow growers.

Additionally, he has devoted countless hours each year to assessing frost damage claims, all while managing his own farm.

Waikato farmer Daniel Finlayson took out the Positive Environmental Impact award, and the Innovation Award went to Dr Soonie Chng from the NZ Institute for Plant and Food Research.

The Canterbury-based Liquid Injection Arable Growth Group, a group of 10 farmers who have accelerated their production progress through farm trials and sharing knowledge, took home the Working Together Award, and Agronomist of the Year went to David Weith,  a 30-year industry veteran from Timaru.

Cereal Grower of the Year went to Peter Hewson from Timaru, and Seed Grower of the Year was picked up by Scott Rome, who farms near Gore.

Birkett said the event was important in a modest industry that tended to "keep its head down", and it was a chance to celebrate the people who had done exceptional work in the sector.

"When you look at what we achieve, particularly across all sectors of New Zealand, and not just domestically but globally, we have a great story to tell about the amount of product we produce in such a small area, the efficiency that we produce, and the way that we produce."

Birkett said the event helped to lift the industry during challenging times.

"It helps to lift morale because, as we know, in the current agricultural climate, morale is a bit low at the moment."

Raising the profile of the industry was a key focus of the event.

"We have a saying in the industry that everything begins with a seed.

"It's about making sure people understand what we do because a lot of the public understands sheep and beef, but they don't understand arable."

NZGSTA general manager Thomas Chin said the turnout for the event was "tremendous" and reflected heartland New Zealand.

"It's a real celebration of the industry because we have people here from right across the sector.

"There are plant breeders, growers, researchers and suppliers.

"It's great to see such a diverse range of people from the sector come to the event."

By Claire Inkson