"To encourage, promote and foster the advancement of grassland farming in New Zealand"
The Trust was inaugurated in 1964 as the Grassland Memorial Trust, to commemorate the efforts of exceptional grassland pioneers, such as 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 New Zealand’s pastoral farming industry. It became the NZ Grassland Trust in 2001.
NZGT Trustees John Caradus (Chair); Derek Woodfield (Deputy); Bryan Guy; Anders Crofoot; Pat Garden; Alan Stewart; David Stevens; Jacqueline Rowarth; Warren King
History of the NZ Grassland Association In time to celebrate 90 years of NZGA (formed in 1931) a past member of the Association and Executive, Deric Charlton, has written on the history and people of NZGA and NZGT. Deric gleaned much of it from the tributes to people in the NZGA Proceedings written by others. The rest was from his own documents and/or memory, as Deric knew many of the people involved over the years. Many were contacted personally as Deric updated our history.
“The opinions and commentary expressed here are those of Deric Charlton and not necessarily the views and opinions of either NZGA or NZGT.”
Chapter 1 NZGA Introduction
Chapter 2 NZGA Presidents
Chapter 3 NZGA Life Members
Chapter 4 Researchers
Chapter 5 Academics
Chapter 6 Ray Brougham Trophy winners
Chapter 7 Other NZGT Award winners
Chapter 8 The Advisers
Cjapter 9 Agribusinesss sector
Chapter 10 Administrators
Chapter 11 The Farmers
Chapter 12 NZGA Events over the Years
Chapter 13 History of the NZ Grassland Trust
Chapter 14 Conference Presentations
Full criteria for these awared annually at the NZGA conference, are available here
1. David Scott Award The David Scott Award will be available annually to a person who is a mid-career and developing scientist /agribusiness specialist/ innovator associated with the pastoral farming industries who seeks to undertake travel for conference attendance or further (postgraduate) study with a focus on hill country or high-country research. The Award will provide $3,000 per annum.
The Award is instituted in memory of Dr David Scott who, in 2018, left a significant endowment to the NZ Grassland Trust for the benefit of members of the NZ Grassland Association.
Applications for the 2023 year close on 1 August 2022. Download an Application form here or email bruce.belgrave@grasslanz.com
2. Ray Brougham Trophy The Trust awards the Ray Brougham Trophy to a person associated with the pastoral farming industries who has made an outstanding national contribution over their working career. This was instituted in memory of the Dr Ray Brougham, Director of DSIR Grasslands 1970 – 1985. The Brougham family donated a bronze statue of a seed sower to the Trust, which is presented annually.
Nominations are to be sent to Bruce Belgrave by 1st of March each year. Nominations are to be accompanied by a 1 page bio.
2021 Winner Dr Alison Popay, AgResearch - for pastoral entomology (citation)
Past recipients:
Video presentations of past winners are available here
2020 Winner Gerald Rys, MPI
2019 Dr Gavin Sheath - pasture management and sustainable farming systems.
2018 Tony Rhodes, PGG Wrightson - pastoral farming through his career as a farm consultant.
2017 Dr Ants Roberts, Ravensdown
2016 Prof Derrick Moot, Lincoln University Video presentation D Moot Presentation slides
2015 Dr Alec Mackay, AgResearch, Palmerston North
2014 Winner - Dr Stewart Ledgard, Agresearch, Ruakura Download Stewarts presentation
2013 Dr Syd Easton, Emeritus Scientist at AgResearch
2012 Tom Fraser, AgResearch Download Toms presentation
Download Dave Clarks presentation
Download Marc Ulyatts presentation
3. NZGT Regional Award This award, introduced in 1997, to the successful person, for contribution in the region of the annual NZGA Conference. 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 2019 Award - Maurice Gray, research technician in the Hawkes Bay, originally with MAF then at Poukawa Research Station
2018 Peter Anderson, vet, Marlborough
2017 Rob Gollan, farm consultant Whanganui
2016 Nicky Hyslop, farm consultant, Timaru
2015 Chris Garland, Baker and Associates, extension and consultancy services in the Southern NI region.
2014 Aaron Meikle, Beef+Lamb NZ, extension services to farmers and rural Communities in the Central SI region.
2013 - Martin Hawke, servicing the field research needs of the BOP region.
2012 Dr David Stevens, AgResearch, for his 30 year contribution to the sheep and deer research and extension onto the farm in Southland.
4. Farming Awards
Each year the Trust makes two awards, for excellence in grassland farming, to enterprises within the Annual Conference region. Nominees are usually the farm-owning partners, but can be managers or sharemilkers.
5. 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. This an annual scholarship for two students each from Massey and Lincoln University, embarking on the second year of a Bachelor of Agriculture or 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 apply, download and fill out an application form - LEVY Application. Applications to be submitted electronically to bruce.belgrave@grasslanz.com by March 30th each year
For further information about the New Zealand Grassland Trust please email the Secretary/Treasurer, Bruce Belgrave.
NZ Grassland Association Inc.
11 Montrose Street, Mosgiel, Dunedin 9024 New Zealand | E: nzgrassland@gmail.com
© Copyright NZ Grassland Association Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
Refund Policy | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
