Farm environment award winner showcased at field day

Hiamoe farm, the winner of the Regional Supreme Award at this year’s Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards, hosted a field day recently to share ideas with other farmers.

Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) promote sustainable land management on New Zealand farms, recognising and celebrating good practices. Horizons Regional Council is a major partner, supporting the awards and the role they play to highlight the work many farmers and growers are doing to care for the environment.
 
The farm also won the Horizons Regional Council Award for the Integration of Trees.
 
Hiamoe Farm, near Colyton, started in 1919 as a 149ha sheep and cattle farm. Over 100 years later, it now encompasses 916ha and is run by John and Toos Cousins, with their three sons – Edmund, Guido, and Julius.
 
Horizons land and partnership manager Grant Cooper says Horizons has a strong involvement with the Cousins who have ingrained environmental practices into the farm’s operations.
 
“Their farming approach is to diversify the business to minimise risk while also focusing on environmental sustainability,” says Mr Cooper.
 
“The field day gave the Cousins family the opportunity to highlight their approach to other farmers.
 
“The judges noted that the Cousins’ visionary tree integration enhances both productivity and environmental sustainability. Over the past 35 years any marginal ground prone to soil erosion has been planted in pines, poplars, or allowed to regenerate into native species.
 
“Under Horizons Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI), which helps rural landowners reduce hill country erosion and prevent sediment entering our waterways, 34,380 trees have been planted and 31 kilometres of fencing completed. The initiative focuses on afforestation, retirement, poplar pole and riparian planting. The Cousins have also funded many more trees themselves,” says Mr Cooper.
 
In total, Hiamoe has retired 137 hectares under the SLUI scheme.
 
“The Horizons Freshwater Team has also worked with the Cousins on sustainability initiatives,” says Mr Cooper.
 
Since 2017, Horizons freshwater team has funded planting of 6,046 native plants with additional plants funded by the Cousins.
 
The property has now retired 90 hectares of waterways as riparian strips which includes a mix of full stock exclusion and sheep only areas.
 
Julius Cousins says sustainable farming at Hiamoe starts with contour fencing, including all 'sheep only', marginal land.
 
“We then space plant poplars over the ‘sheep only‘ area, targeting potential erosion sites. Riparian fencing of smaller water courses is standard practice, including the planting of natives providing stream protection, shelter, and aesthetic features.
 
“Radiata [pine] is planted on larger areas, providing excellent erosion protection and another income stream down the track.
 
“Financial support is provided by Horizons for some of the SLUI-based initiatives and their expertise and encouragement is invaluable.
 
“We’ve built a  strong relationship, working as a team together,” says Mr Cousins.
 
Mr Cooper says on-farm field days showcase innovative farming practices that make a positive impact on the environment and contribute to profitable sustainable farms.
 
“The aim is for these field days to inspire attendees to see the opportunities to implement some of these practices on their own farm.
 
“Hiamoe Farm will now compete for the national award with the other regional supreme award winners,” says Mr Cooper.
 
For more information on award winners and to find out how to enter the awards head to nzfeawards.org.nz. For more information about Horizons’ fencing and planting programmes visit horizons.govt.nz or free phone 0508 800 800.