NZ Grassland Association Inc.

New Zealand Grassland Trust

The Trust was inaugurated in 1964 as the Grassland Memorial Trust, to commemorate the efforts of exceptional grasslanders, such as agricultural science pioneers A.H. Cockayne, Sir George Stapledon, Sir Bruce Levy, researchers Dr Peter Sears, Lionel Corkill, Dr C.P. McMeekan and Dr Ray Brougham, and farming leader Dr R.A. Candy, each of whom contributed significantly to build this country's pastoral farming industry.

The aims of the Trust are to encourage, promote and foster the advancement of grassland farming in New Zealand.

Following a name change to the New Zealand Grassland Trust in 2001, the trustees decided to reshape the Trust's activities to better meet its aims. Currently they see these being met by making annual merit awards to farmers, researchers and other people involved in agriculture; by annually awarding two university scholarships for studies in agriculture; and by limited funding on application, of technology transfer ventures particularly where this is a joint proposal.  

Income is derived from managed funds, accumulated over time from donations and sponsorship, largely as a result of Dr Ray Brougham's efforts in his latter years. The trustees meet twice yearly, to make decisions on policy, awards, and applications for funding. The trustees administering the Trust's fund are all NZGA past presidents. They serve five-year terms but can be re-elected. The current chairman is Feilding dairy farmer Bryan Guy, who also serves on industry boards, and the secretary-treasurer is Dr Grant Douglas, plant scientist with AgResearch Grasslands.

Annual Awards

The merit awards are made at the New Zealand Grassland Conference held each year, rotating between country centres in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The scholarship awards are made in March of each year. Details are as follows.

Ray Brougham Trophy

The Ray Brougham Trophy was instituted in memory of Dr Ray Brougham, director of DSIR's Grasslands Division from 1970 to 1985, an NZGA Life Member and GMT Chairman, who died suddenly in late 1993 not long after having organised the XVII International Grassland Congress in New Zealand and Queensland, arguably the most successful event of its kind.

When Ray died his family donated a bronze statue of a seed sower, and the Trust associated it with its special award for an outstanding national contribution towards the New Zealand grassland industry.

Past recipients include:

• Soil and legume scientist, Professor Tom Walker.
• Dairy farmer and ryegrass developer, Trevor Ellett.
• High country specialist and educator, Professor Kevin O'Connor.
• TV rural programme producer Frank Torley, of "Country Calendar" fame.
• AgResearch seed production specialist, Mr Peter Clifford.
• The corporate farming enterprise, Brownrigg Agriculture, of Hawke's Bay.
• Dr Bill Rumball, pasture and amenity plant breeder of AgResearch Grasslands.
• Dr Doug Phillips, inventor of the low-impedance electric fencing concept at MAF Ruakura in the 1960s.
• Mr Lester Fletcher, who discovered and researched endophyte fungi effects in ryegrass and tall fescue.
• Grassland bull-beef farmer Harry Wier, who pioneered the TechnoSystem of intensive grazing management.
• Mike O'Connor, for wide-ranging research on pasture nutrient management, and effective extension of results.

NZGT Regional Award

This award was introduced in 1997 and is made to an appropriate person, living in the region where the annual NZGA Conference is being held. It recognises exceptional effort above and beyond the normal career contribution that supports the regional pastoral agricultural industry, be it technology development or an aspect of farming itself.

The recipients include:

• Tim Johnston, technical consultant for BOP Fertilisers Ltd, Mount Maunganui.
• John Lloyd, technical manager of ICI Crop Care Ltd in Richmond.
• David Ritchie, Hawke's Bay farmer and developer of the Foundation for Arable Research.
• Peter Hook, long-time farm adviser/consultant based in Gore.
• Bill Gallagher, who has developed electric fencing into an international success story for New Zealand.
• Bernard Card, general manager of Landcorp Farming Ltd.
• Jill Galloway, for her major contribution as a reporter of all farming matters on Rural Radio.
• John McKenzie for his work in the herbage seed industry, and influence within the pastoral research community.

Farming Awards

Each year the Trust makes up to two awards, for excellence in grassland farming, to enterprises within the designated Annual Conference region. Nominations are solicited from individuals, consultants and relevant organisations in the host region, and are usually the farm-owning partners, but can be managers or sharemilkers. The NZGT judges inspect the nominated properties and make award decisions before the Trust's Annual Meeting, which is held every August.

The major requirements sought include:

• Good grassland farming - an impressive, profitable grassland-based business, run for at least five years on the property.
• Innovative approach - using the latest grassland technology effectively.
• Sustainable management - a good degree of sustainability in the enterprise and a strong responsibility for environmental matters.
• Communication skills - passing on good grassland farming skills to others in the region, and including local community activity.

Each winner receives a framed certificate and five years' NZGA subscription, to enable them to accumulate the latest grassland information through the NZGA Annual Conference and its Proceedings.

Levy Student Scholarship

The NZGT Levy Student Scholarship commemorates the lifetime efforts of agricultural science pioneer, Sir E. Bruce Levy, in developing and communicating grassland science at the old Plant Research Bureau, later DSIR's Grasslands Division, and currently part of AgResearch in Palmerston North.

The Levy Scholarship is an annual scholarship offered by the NZGT for one suitable student from Massey University, and one student from Lincoln University embarking on the second year of a Bachelor of Agriculture Degree or a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in the agricultural area.

Each scholarship is for $3000 over one year. Applications from second year students are invited each year, to be lodged by 7 March (Massey applicants) or 31 March (Lincoln applicants) each year. Instructions on how to apply for application forms are given on university websites under "Levy Student Scholarship".

Applicants will be judged both on academic progress and general attitude, and may be called to interview.

To apply, fill out an application form - (PDF, 9KB) or (DOC, 41KB)

Further Information

For further information about the New Zealand Grassland Trust please email the Secretary/Treasurer, Dr Grant Douglas (trust@grassland.org.nz) or telephone 64 6 356 8019, or Fax 64 6 351 8032.