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The arable industry’s best and brightest are being sought following a call for nominations for the 2026 Arable Awards.

An awards organiser and Federated Farmers National Vice President Colin Hurst says that the Arable Awards are a “great opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate our industry and recognise our high achievers”.

“I know that the 2025-26 season wasn’t the easiest, with weather issues including wet conditions during harvest in some regions, but this doesn’t diminish growers’ skills and effort.

“New Zealand grain and seed growers are some of the best in the world,” says Colin Hurst, a South Canterbury arable grower.

Despite huge support in 2024, it was decided to hold the event every second year, a move supported by sponsors and organisers.

“These types of events are expensive and time consuming and we didn’t want them to become a grind for organisers, sponsors or attendees. All the background work for the 2026 event has been done now, so all we need are the nominations.”

Nominations close on 1 June, so people are encouraged to head to the Arable Awards website, www.arableawards.co.nz, check out the seven categories and download a nomination form.

The Arable Farmer of the Year is selected from the three grower awards winners – cereal, seed and maize - while inductees to the Arable Hall of Fame are chosen by the awards’ organising committee.

The 2024 Arable Farmer of the Year was Simon Nitschke, from Marton. 

The seven open categories and their sponsors are:

• Maize Grower of the Year: Pioneer Brand Products
• Cereal Grower of the Year: Bayer
• Seed Grower of the Year: PGG Wrightson Seeds
• Agronomist of the Year: Seed and Grain NZ
• Innovation: Barenbrug
• Positive Environmental Impact: FMG
• Working Together: South Pacific Seeds

Tickets for the awards dinner, which is being held at the Wigram Air Force Museum in Christchurch on 20 August 2026, can also be purchased from the awards website.