McIntosh Orchard, at Earnscleugh, has been named supreme winner of the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Wayne McIntosh, who manages the 64ha pip and stonefruit orchard, received the award at a function in Wanaka last night. Judges described the operation as a top-producing business at the forefront of its industry and ''with a vision and strategy to promote the Otago region and to be recognised nationally and internationally''.
The property has been in the McIntosh family since 1881, originally as a farm but mostly orchard since 1910. It has about 34,000 trees and produces cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, apples and a range of trial fruits.
Mr McIntosh also collected the Hill Laboratories harvest award, the Ballance Agri-Nutrients soil management award, the Massey University innovation award, and the WaterForce integrated management award.
Other awards were.-Beef and Lamb New Zealand livestock award: Craig and Emma Lister, Elliotvale Farm Ltd, Milton.
Donaghys farm stewardship award, Meridian Energy excellence award and Alliance Group quality livestock award: David and Sarah Smith, Mt Watkins Ltd, Waikouaiti.
LIC dairy farm award, PGG Wrightson land and life award, Otago Regional Council water quality award: Brendon and Suzie Bearman, Kilkenny Farm, Milton.
