| 57 Wye Hills recognised across sectors Wye Hills is in the hill country of Wairau Valley between Blenheim and St Arnaud. Emma Bailey From sheep, beef and deer to grapes and honey - making use of the wide variety of land has seen Wye Hills win the Westpac Osgro Marlborough Farmer of the Year competition. Jason Rentoul and his fiancée Chelsea Hudson were rewarded for their strategic use of land classes, entrepreneurial thinking, good governance and sound financial performance. They have a diverse range of income streams including prime lambs, fine wool, velvet, beef, grapes, carbon and honey, competition chair Simon Harvey said. Wye Hills in the hill country of Wairau Valley between Blenheim and St Arnaud and has been in the Rentoul family since 1919 with Jason the fourth generation to farm it. They were delighted to find out they won in November. “It was a genuine surprise; Chelsea and I were going in from a learning point of view rather than winning,” Jason said. “When we got the phone call from the chair Simon Harvey, who was also a previous winner, we were absolutely blindsided. “There was a lot of learning during the process and getting everything in order like our bio security plan. A judge picked up our lamb losses were higher than normal so we are working with someone to resolve that, there are a lot of variables so just working out which one it is. “We wouldn’t have done it without the capable staff and support team we have around us. Westpac Osgro Seed Marlborough Farmer of the Year Award » Wye Hills SUPPORTING FARMERS, SEASON AFTER SEASON PROUD TO BACK AWARD-WINNING FARMING. Jason Rentoul and Chelsea Hudson of Wye Hills named 2025 Marlborough Farmer of the Year — a well-earned recognition of dedication, precision, and long-term thinking. At Aerowork, we back farming excellence by working in genuine partnership, grounded in local knowledge and getting the details right. 0800 100 123 www.aerowork.co.nz • to page 58
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