19 July 2001 Farmer contest focuses on application of technology

Technology's role in improving farming systems is the category for the 2001 Lincoln University Foundation/Rabobank Farmer of the Year Competition and travel awards valued at $7500, $3000 and $2000 are up for winning.

Entries are open now and a prospectus giving full details is available from Rabobank offices, phone 0800 500 933, or from Errol Cosatello at Lincoln University phone (03) 3253832, email costelle@ lincoln.ac.nz.

With this year's category of "Application of Technology" the judges are hoping to attract entries from those involved in land-based industries who have taken advantage of the "new" technology to modify, develop and improve their farming systems to a significant and measurable degree.

"The competition is emphasising improved performance - both physical and financial - from the use of technology," says co-ordinating judge Neil Gow, Senior Lecturer in Farm Management at Lincoln University.

"We are keen to see entries from South Island farmers, orchardists and other producers from the land," he says.

"The fact that ideas behind the term 'technology' will be open to interpretation will be interesting. Technology in the context of this competition will have a wide interpretation. It could be hardware such as ultra sound scanners, techniques such as using faecal egg counts, decision support software such as Cash Manager or specific microchip applications such as hydroponic controllers.

"We are encouraging the entrants to interpret the definition liberally and leave any ruling on eligibility to the judging panel," says Mr Gow.

"I would expect that some entrants will be using a number of technologies."

The competition, now in its 19th year, seeks to reward innovative farmers who are providing leadership in land-based production and who will benefit from further study overseas.

The Lincoln University Foundation/Rabobank Farmer of the Year Competition is open to South Island land-based practitioners only.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.