Award winners share their winning philosophy

Wednesday 01 June 2011

Winter 2011

Meridian is proud to sponsor the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA). Ashburton’s Rob and Debbie Mackle took out the Meridian Farm Environment Merit Award at the NZDIA national final held in Queenstown in May.

The 2011 NZDIA entrants and affiliates travelled from all around New Zealand to Queenstown. Before the awards, they were given a tour of Meridian’s Manapouri power station.

Rob Mackle says about the tour, “We were blown away by the magnitude of the engineering feat. Manapouri was well before its time. We thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality from the Meridian team, the educational experience and the opportunity to see up close what must be one of New Zealand’s environmental treasures. While we were in Queenstown we also met some amazing people who share our passion for farming and family.”

Debbie Mackle says about the Meridian Farm Environment Merit Award, “We didn’t win the Canterbury award but it was one we really wanted. It’s been a goal for us and the farm owner (Graham Brooker) to show that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. Both parties have put a lot of time and effort in the past six years not only into making sure the farm is fully compliant but into continually upgrading and up-skilling to ensure it remains so. At the national judging we elaborated more on the systems we have in place and the cost savings made by fully utilising them.”

Rob and Debbie say they are fully aware of the global implications of the need to supply a top-quality product that is sustainable and farm and cow friendly. They make full use of their main road frontage to showcase their product and core business philosophy of “striving for excellence.”

Rob has been dairying most of his life and has seen huge changes in that time. Rob says, “Education on soils, effluent, water, fertiliser and farm waste has had a positive influence on the industry.” 

Through our sponsorship of NZDIA, Meridian is proud to contribute to that influence, and even prouder that yet again Meridian customers have proven they’re the best of the best!