Robert Gardyne from Oturehua, Central Otago was honoured with the award at the weekend.
Having been a finalist in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and the 2016 grand champion, Gardyne is no stranger to success.
He has farmed for 52 years and believes his success is down to experience and practice.
“Consumers are now much more interested in the food they eat and where it comes from. Reflecting on the past decade, a lot of effort has been put into the management and genetic makeup of the animal to fine-tune the lamb we produce. Gaining an award like this is a huge thrill and gives me confidence in what is to come,” Gardyne said.
Following an independent assessment for yield, tenderness, succulence and colour the top 20 finalists were found and sent to be judged by Beef and Lamb New Zealand Ambassador Chefs in the grand final at the Wanaka A&P Show.
Forbes and Angus Cameron from Ashhurst, with their Growbulk processed at Alliance Dannevirke, outshone the 166 entrants in the 2017 competition and were announced as the B+LNZ golden lamb awards grand champion for 2017.
This is a remarkable achievement for the Camerons who also won the beef equivalent competition, the Steak of Origin, in 2015.
B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor sees the Glammies as a platform to showcase the country’s farmers who produce the best lamb in the world.
“Our industry has made dramatic progress over the last 20 years with higher lambing percentages – up 25%, an increase of 93% of lamb weight sold per ewe wintered and it’s been done on 2 million less hectares. And even though sheep numbers have gone from 70m to 30m, we’re still selling similar amounts of sheepmeat through increased productivity.
“This competition recognises the quality aspects that are so important to the customer. The excellent results are a reflection of the work that farmers, processors, and scientists have put into driving these aspects of lamb production.”
Adding to the day’s celebrations, Matt & Lynley Wyeth from Masterton were awarded the 2017 people’s choice award and Countdown Supermarkets took out the title of Glammies 2017 retail winner.
Full results:
PRODUCER OF THE DECADE (2007 – 2017): Robert Gardyne, Oturehua
2017 GRAND CHAMPION: Forbes & Angus Cameron, Ashhurst (Growbulk)
PROCESSOR OF THE GRAND CHAMPION: Alliance Dannevirke
2017 RETAIL WINNER: Countdown Supermarkets (South Suffolk/Romney from Ruakiwi, Kaikohe)
2017 PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Matt & Lynley Wyeth, Masterton (Highlander/Primera), processed at
Silver Fern Farms Takapau
CLASS 1 // BEST OF BREED: TRADITIONAL
Gold: Hamish Mackay, Gore (Romney), processed at Alliance Lorneville
Silver: Robert Gardyne, Oturehua (Perendale), processed at Alliance Lorneville
Bronze: Paul, Rachel, Mark & Louise Heslip, Dipton (Perendale/Romney), processed at Alliance Lorneville
Highly Commended: Don Morrison, Gore (Romney), processed at Alliance Lorneville
CLASS 2 // BEST OF BREED: CROSSBREED
Gold: Roger, Alison & Jeremy Thomas, Tuatapere (Perendale/Texel), processed at Silver Fern Farms Waitane
Silver: Charles Crutchley, Ranfurly (Texel/Perendale/Romney), processed at Oamaru Meats
Bronze: Hayden Peter, Wyndham (Greeline), processed at Alliance Lorneville
Highly Commended: Jane Leogreen, Dannevirke (Texel/Perendale/Romney), processed at Alliance Dannevirke
CLASS 3 // BEST OF BREED: TERMINAL CROSS
Gold: Don Morrison, Gore (Growbulk/Charollais), processed at Alliance Lorneville
Silver: Matt & Lynley Wyeth, Masterton (Highlander/Primera), processed at Silver Fern Farms Takapau
Bronze: Gary Fordyce, Gore (Composite/Texel X), processed at Silver Fern Farms Waitane
Highly Commended: Allan Paterson, Otautau (CoopTexel/Texel), processed at Alliance Lorneville
CLASS 4 // BEST OF BREED: OPEN
Gold: Peter Sim & Maree Whiteley, Garston (Textra), processed at Silver Fern Farms Waitane
Silver: Forbes & Angus Cameron, Ashhurst (Growbulk), processed at Alliance Dannevirke
Bronze: Doug Brown, Oamaru (Poll Dorset/Texel), processed at Alliance Smithfield
Highly Commended: Robert Gardyne, Oturehua (Perendale/Suffolk/Texel), processed at Alliance Lorneville
CLASS 5 // RETAIL
Gold: Countdown Supermarkets (South Suffolk/Romney from Ruakiwi, Kaikohe)
Silver: Pure South, Alliance Meats (Romney/Texel from JW, JC & JR Clark, Milton)
Bronze: Countdown Supermarkets (Southdown/Texel/Romney from DI Cathcart, Huntly)
Highly Commended: Lifestyle Meats (Texel Perendale from Ohakune)
