The 611ha home farm, Stoneburn, has been owned by the family since 2005 and was farmed in association with the 185ha Goodwood, nearer the coast.
The business had 7500 stock units including 3700 Coopdale ewes, 1200 hoggets, 120 breeding cows and heifers and 172 R2 finishing cattle.
The Engelbrechts have four children aged from 19 to 12 and form what the judges called a strong and united team with a passion for farming.
They were also impressed by the clear communication between Simon and Kirsten and the wider community and their industry involvement.
Simon began farming at 19 when he borrowed all of the money to lease a property.
His approach to farming was unequivocal.
“We do things to a standard not a price.”
The judges noted the high production being achieved on this class of land amply reflected that.
They said the animals were in good health and performance was exceptionally high.
“The quality of genetics, the level of feeding and attention to detail in all areas of livestock production is outstanding.”
The environmental features of the property included a QEII National Trust covenant over 2ha of native bush and management practices to reduce sediment run-off.
The Southland supreme award winners were David Alanna and Julie Clarke with a sheep breeding and finishing and dairy support business at Glenham.
Elgin Park Farms, 315ha, was on hill country in eastern Southland, close to the Catlins Forest Park.
The judges said it was a beautiful property being farmed exceptionally well with an outstanding progress of environmental initiatives.
The focus around sustainability was evident with every management decision onfarm.
“Significant fencing of waterways and critical source areas has been undertaken with riparian planting happening simultaneously. A large wetland has been established and several sediment traps have been created to capture nutrients.
“Farming methods are well-researched and considered before implementation with a continual drive to achieve best practice. David’s knowledge of soils and nutrients is excellent.”
The Douglas-Clifford family on the 2950ha Stonyhurst property on the coast near Motunau won the Canterbury supreme title.
The 22,000 stock unit business contained sheep, cattle and deer breeding and finishing, operated by brothers John and Peter Douglas-Clifford and John’s eldest son Charles, now in day-to-day control.
The family dated back to New Zealand sheep industry pioneer Charles Clifford who took up the original land lease in 1850.
The award judges described Stonyhurst as an aesthetically stunning farm where management decisions focused on the preservation and enhancement of natural resources alongside successful commercial farming.
“Overlooking the Pacific, the farm features stands of native bush which are protected and valued. Ongoing planting and protection programmes ensure the farm will continue to improve for future generations.”
The heart of the operation was a 10,000 head halfbred sheep flock producing wool between 22 and 26 microns sold on contract through NZ Merino.
At the end of March, fourth-generation dairy farmers Scott and Sue Narbey, at Helensville, were the second supreme winners of the Auckland award.
Last year Richard and Dianne Kidd, also at Helensville, won the inaugural regional award then took national honours.
The Narbeys had 155ha effective to milk 410 cows on a system 5 platform through a 44-bale rotary set up to allow only one person to milk through most of the season.
Drains, ponds and a boundary with the Kaipara River were all fenced to exclude stock. In the past four years marginal areas had been retired into wetlands and planting of them was almost complete. Pest control was also being done.
They were mindful of pugging because much of the farm’s soil was clay. A feed pad and more recently a calving pad had been built to mitigate that.
Charlie and Helen Lea, at Cambridge, won six of the 10 category awards on their way to being named supreme winners in Waikato.
Ratanui Partnership was on a 225ha property and the farming business was a closed beef and sheep breeding and finishing unit wintering 2600 stock units, 60:40 beef to sheep ratio.
The judges highlighted a wide range of innovations and innovative practices being used on the farm and in a plant nursery.
“An impressive amount of planning and effort has gone into the farm infrastructure and the protection and enhancement of the environment.
“Extensive riparian plantings, soil erosion control measures on cultivated and pastoral lands and sound knowledge of nutrient management practices have mitigated environmental risks,” they said.
The Taranaki and Wellington regional awards will complete the series before the National Sustainability Showcase in Invercargill on May 31.
