Two Southland farming families have picked up top honours for their innovation and diversification at the 2023 Arable Awards of New Zealand held in Christchurch last night (10 Aug).

Third generation Balfour farmers Blair and Jody Drysdale's efforts to lift productivity and income by doing things differently won them the top Innovation title.

Judges said the Drysdales, who own Hopefield Hemp, had the courage to review their traditional arable and beef production systems and step into the world of hemp growing, processing, manufacturing and marketing.

From early days when they would process hemp hand and body cream in a kitchen cake mixer, they’ve steadily upped production to now encompass a full range of hemp oils, balms and health capsules.

Scotts Gap's Rob and Toni Auld, also third generation farmers, were named Arable Food Champion Award winners.

It was more than a decade ago that the Aulds decided to look beyond traditional farm income streams to start making a range of whiskys, gins and other spirits from the wheat, oats and barley grown on their Southland farm.

Arable Food Champions Rob and Toni Auld, of Auld Farm Distillery, accept their award. Photo: Neil McKenzie 

Auld Farm Distillery, last year’s Innovation Award winners, is now the third largest whisky producer in New Zealand.

Other winners include Hawkes Bay farmer Hugh Richie (Arable Farmer of the Year), Dr Richard Chynoweth from the Foundation (Arable Research who won Researcher of the Year), Paul Johnston of Yara Fertilizers Ltd (Agronomist of the Year)

The Barenbrug New Zealand Plant Breeding Team (Plant Breeder/Plant Researcher of the Year) and PGG Wrightson Seeds (Arable Employer of the Year).