New award marks Cheviot farm club anniversary

Press, 2 August 1985, Page 19

New award marks Cheviot farm club anniversary

A new award based on net farm profit per stock unit has recently been announced for members of the Cheviot Farm Improvement Club. The club is 25 years old this year and believed to be one of the first estblished in New Zealand. Unlike some which have struggled along in recent years, Cheviot has flourished and interest has been high among members. Four years ago a lambing percentage award was set up to encourage emphasis on management systems that achieve high numbers of lambs available for sale. The award has proved most successful, with considerable interest each year in what the winning level is and who has achieved it. As part of a club field day the winner’s property is usually visited. The club’s executive has in recent years ralised that there were only a limited number of club members who could realistically be in with a chance for the award, a spkesman, Mr Rod McKenzie, said. After much discussion, the advisers, all from Lincoln College, have come up with a new competition which will offer a better chance for involvement for most club members. The net farm profit per hectare is calculated from the gross farm income less

the farm working expenses, which include rates and insurances but exclude personal drawings, tax, capital purchases, debt repayments, interest and development expenses. Adjustments for the numbers of stock on hand at the beginning and end of a year are made. Cropping farmers will not be eligible, although a stock farmer with one or two paddocks of crop will be able to take part. It is hoped that the award will focus attention within the club and also within the wider farming community on the critical importance of net profit. “Cost control is just as important as income in today’s world,” said Mr Adam Spiers, one of the club’s advisers. He thought the winning level would be in the range of $25 to $3O a stock unit. The club hopes to hold a field day on the winner’s property and, depending on the interest, could make it a public' day. Pyne, Gould, Guinness will sponsor the performance award and has provided a large silver cocktail tray for the winner. The Christchurch manager, Mr M. D. Watson, said his company was very pleased to be involved with the competition. Highlighting stock man-

agement systems that produce high net returns was very important in North Canterbury right now. The first presentation will be at the club’s 25th reunion dinner tonight in the Cheviot Trust Hotel. Sir James Stewart, a life member of the club and

director of Pyne, Gould, Guinness, will make the presentation. Because of the need to finalise accounts, the award period will be for the previous year when announced in June or July and so therefore the first award will cover the 1983-84 year.