| 61 Sustainable and pro table family business The Whites farm a diverse 1015ha property near Otane. Kelly Deeks Simon and Lou White of Ludlow Farms are proudly showcasing their sustainable and pro table family business which has recently taken out the Silver Fern Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year title at the Napier Port Primary Sector Awards, just nine days after they also won the Supreme honour at the 2025 East Coast Farm Ballance Farm Environment Awards. The Whites farm a diverse 1015ha property near Otane, supported by two additional leased cropping blocks at Ongaonga. They produce everything from vegetable and specialty seeds to malting barley, milling wheat, hemp, and stockfeed, while also nishing prime lamb and beef. This diversi cation, backed by smart investments and innovative thinking, has set Ludlow Farms apart. Key to their recent success, both in business and at the awards, is a new state-of-the-art seed drying facility built on-farm, lling a critical infrastructure gap in Hawke’s Bay for small seed producers. “Some of the seed crops we grow are incredibly high-value, and timing is everything when it comes to harvesting and drying,” Simon says. “We couldn’t rely on limited regional infrastructure, so we built our own, and now we’re supporting other growers, too.” The facility is already proving invaluable, especially after a favourable growing season and a spike in demand for specialty seed drying. It’s part of a bigger picture at Ludlow Farms, which includes precision agriculture, sustainable water management, and long-term succession planning. Precision ag tools and software are helping the Whites apply nutrients exactly where needed, reducing waste and improving soil health. Their irrigation system is supported by on-farm water storage, where dams are capable of capturing winter oodwater and ensuring water security even through Hawke’s Bay’s dry months. “We used a lot of water from our dams through November and December, and now they are lling up again. ON FARM » Ludlow Farms For all your Bulk Transport Solutions Proud to be associated with Ludlow Farms 1770 State Highway 2, Waipawa, Hawke's Bay 06 857 5166 | tom@twisttrucking.co.nz | twisttrucking.co.nz CENTRAL HAWKES BAY Proud to support Ludlow Farms For all your Hay - Silage - Cultivation Phone Mike 021 733 918 mike@mikekettle.co.nz | www.mikekettlecontracting.co.nz We’re waterskiing on them in spring and then irrigating in summer.” Five generations of Whites have farmed in this valley, and everything Simon and Lou do now is with the next generation in mind. “We’re doing it for our kids. They’re still young, but the earlier we start, the easier the handover will be,” says Simon. “We’ve been early adopters of innovation and technology, and that’s helping us build a business we’re proud to pass on.” While proud of the recognition their farm has received, Simon says entering the awards has been about more than accolades. “It’s about benchmarking yourself, learning where you’re at, and being inspired by what others are doing,” he says. “Everyone’s trying to farm sustainably, and some are further along than others. The climate and environment are constantly changing, and we all have to keep adapting.” With their eyes now on the national stage, the Whites will head to Wellington in June to vie for the prestigious Gordon Stephenson Trophy. The winners will be named National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing, a role Simon and Lou say they’d be honoured to take on to showcase what sustainable, pro table farming looks like in Aotearoa. “We want to showcase how and why we do what we do. Not just for recognition, but to help drive the whole industry forward.” RUAHINE MOTORS 84 RUATANIWHA STREET, WAIPUKURAU, Hawke's Bay Phone: 06 858 8086 | Email: sales@ruahinemotors.co.nz | Web: www.ruahinemotors.co.nz Ruahine Ford – Trusted for 80 Years A member of the Colonial Motor Company Limited group of companies • Full range of new Ford vehicles • Quality used cars • Expert parts and service – all with a commitment to customer satisfaction
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