The winners and runners up of the 2021 New Zealand Groundspread Fertilisers Association (NZGFA) awards were congratulated by newly elected association president, Graeme Martin, on their contributions to the ground spreading industry at the association’s recent conference at Aoraki, Mt Cook.

The awards programme, now in its third year, saw John Whitehead of JWE Ltd scoop two of the four awards – The Innovation Award, sponsored by Keith Andrews Ltd and The President’s Award, sponsored by Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

John has been manufacturing, repairing and supplying New Zealand with leading edge GPS technology and equipment for agriculture for nearly 30 years. Of particular note is JWE’s industry-acclaimed V3 spreading computer with variable rate capability. John is well recognised as an innovator of technology and builder of quality solutions for the industry.

The runners up for those categories (respectively), were Travis Churchill of Spread Test NZ – one of the country’s most respected spreader testers and Matthew Blomfield of Transport Services Southland Ltd – winner of last year’s Young Achiever’s Award.

Nick Hyslop of of Hyslop Groundspreading Ltd was awarded the Health & Safety Award, sponsored by Graymont. Nick, an owner-operator, was acknowledged for his commitment to ensuring health, safety and mental wellbeing is a priority for everyone involved in groundspreading and his input into the delivery of regular driver-training sessions for NZGFA members.

The runner up for this category was spreader operator, Anne-Marie Davison, of Wealleans Bay of Plenty.

Finally, Toby Evans, of Brooks Spreading Ltd, was awarded the Ravensdown-sponsored Young Achiever’s Award. Toby was recognised for his exceptional organisational skills, time management capability, positive influence on others and outstanding work ethic.

Spreadmark-certified spreader operator, Georgia Voice of Philip Wareing Ltd was the runner up for this category.

The award ceremony took place at a Gala Dinner at the association’s 64th annual conference. Chaired by mountaineering legend, Mark Inglis, the event also applauded the out-going NZGFA president, John Schultz of Mainland Groundspreading, and welcomed Graeme Martin of Waikato-based Wealleans Ltd.

Commenting on the awards, Mr Martin said, “I am in awe by the amount of talent within this industry and the commitment that industry members are making on professional and personal levels. Congratulations to all our award winners and runners up. This industry is in safe hands.”