THE AWARDS

The Zimmatic Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards is open to farmers and farming operations within New Zealand that are leading the way in sustainable irrigation management. The farm must be irrigating a minimum of 25ha to be eligible. Full terms and conditions will be available when the awards open on 4 June 2024.

Why farmers should enter

Now more than ever there is a focus on water use and agriculture is in the spotlight for ensuring sustainable water management.

We know how hard farmers work to manage and care for their water resource. These Awards are designed to celebrate farming excellence and be a platform to share how farmers are leading the way in responsible irrigation, innovative water management, and environmental stewardship. 

For the 2024 competition there are four award categories, including:

  • Supreme Award Winner

  • Sustainable Irrigation Management Award

  • Stewardship & Community Award; and

  • Judges Choice Award (awarded at judges’ discretion).

All category winners will win fabulous prize packs, the Supreme Award Winner will also receive an NZD$8000 voucher to attend a future Trailblazer Irrigation Study Tour, which is an amazing opportunity to join key irrigation industry individuals and other farmers to network and learn about the latest in irrigation technology and advancements. 

 

2024 Awards Timeline

4 June
Awards announced - nominations/entries open

19 July
Nominations close

26 July
Entries close

End of August
Finalists announced

September – October
On-farm judging of finalists

End of October
Winners announced

 

“Our focus as a family and business is to partner with long-term premium brands who focus on quality ingredients for their clothing and food products. Demonstrating a robust social licence domestically and internationally is, therefore extremely important to us and them. The Trailblazer initiative is a great way of demonstrating our commitment to water usage and environmental stewardship. We look forward to seeing it grow in profile as a showcase for best practice in irrigation.”

Richard and Annabelle Subtil, 2021 Environmental Stewardship and Community Award Winners