| 53 Ballance Farm Environment Awards » A Mua Ltd / Henare Trust Sustainability focus Having the will to adapt Derek Mickleson. Photo: The New Zealand Farm Environment Trust Russell Fredric Alexia Anderson Diversification and a focus on sustainability are strengthening the future of Dargaville farming business Ā Mua, led by James and Krista Franklin. The couple operate a mixed cropping and livestock farming business near Dargaville, with kumara production forming the core of the operation alongside sheep, beef and a developing garlic crop. Second generation farmers, they’ve taken over full management of the family business following the retirement of James’s parents, after working alongside them on the farm for more than a decade. James says the transition has been supported by years of knowledge passed down through the family and a long-term succession plan. “We’ve been back on the farm for 13 years working alongside Mum and Dad, so all that knowledge and experience has been passed down.” James and Krista scooped three categories in the 2026 Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards held on March 25. They won the Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, FMG Risk Management Award and Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award at the 2026 Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Their farming operation spans around 126 effective hectares, with about 40 hectares planted in kumara each season, also running around 200 beef cattle and finishing 500 lambs during the winter months on cropping paddocks. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, the couple began looking more closely at diversification and business resilience after losing a large portion of their kumara crop to flooding. “We lost about 85 percent of our crop in that event, so it really made us look closely at the Henare Trust has been named a finalist in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for the Manawatu-Whanganui region, highlighting its strong focus on sustainable farming. Owners Derek and Marg Mickleson say the acknowledgement is humbling and is an opportunity to share their knowledge of agricultural practices they implement on their farm in southern Taihape. Henare Trust, which was nominated for the award by Louise Totman, was established in the early 2000s after Derek and his family secured the lease of his parents’ property. Since then, the 335 hectare (305 effective hectares) sheep and beef operation has continued to evolve, shaped by both environmental challenges and a willingness to adapt. “Key challenges will often be the variable markets and the elements that we farm under,” Derek says. “The country here is best suited to farming sheep and beef.” Adapting to those challenges has led to innovative infrastructure solutions across the farm. Derek has moved away from more traditional water systems, and has instead developed a tailored approach to better suit the property’s conditions. “When dealing with problem wet areas on the farm we use Nova Flow. Then the water is transferred through a solid pipe to a safe deposit area. This reduces the likelihood of the water leaking out of the Nova Flow at another point and lessens erosion.” Environmental management is a strong focus at Henare Trust, with pest control and riparian planting initiatives highlighted by judges as key strengths. Derek says those efforts are delivering tangible results. “The pest and weed control we exercise has resulted in lower abortion rates in sheep. The elimination of wild cats through trapping has lowered the spread of toxoplasmosis.” Soil health also plays a pivotal role in decision making on the farm, with regular testing to ensure fertiliser use is both effective and financially viable. business and how we could make ourselves more resilient going forward. We realised we needed more than one income stream and to spread our risk a bit more, rather than relying so heavily on one crop.” “The cyclone was a big turning point for us and made us really focus on strengthening the business and looking forward rather than back.” The result was the introduction of garlic as an additional crop, which fits around the kumara growing season and can be grown utilising much of the same machinery and infrastructure. Environmental management is also a major focus on the property. “We’re planting native species alongside cropping paddocks to attract beneficial insects that prey on pest insects, reducing the usage of pesticides and insecticides. Investment in laser levelling and drainage systems across cropping paddocks has helped to improve water management and reduce runoff into waterways. Wetland areas have been retired and planted, helping create habitat for native species including the nationally endangered bittern. They are also involved in the Kaipara Moana Project and the Lighter Touch programme, which promote improved water quality, biodiversity and reduced chemical use. Alongside environmental initiatives and diversification, James and Krista say building a strong team culture has also been an important part of developing the business. “It’s taken time to build that team culture and put the right people into the right roles, but it allows us to focus more on improving the business and planning for the future. “Ā Mua means ‘the time to come, the future’, and that really summed up what we were trying to achieve with the business and where we wanted to take it.” “Soil and herbage testing allows us to select the correct amount of fertiliser suitable to our farming practice. These decisions are scrutinised financially like any other practice and with the support and guidance of Jessica Guy, our fertiliser representative, we have managed to make it work.” Protecting soil structure during wetter months is another priority at Henare Trust, with stock management carefully aligned to land type. “We try to protect soil and pasture structures by removing all cattle from soft sedimentary soils and instead we winter them on gravel country.” Planting programmes across the farm have also been designed to support both the land and livestock. Poplar trees, in particular, have proven valuable. “Planting the poplars has helped us achieve soil stability and when leafy, they provide shelter for livestock.” Beyond day-to-day farming, the property has also revealed a connection to the past, with the discovery of moa bones leading to a collaboration with researchers and Te Papa. Looking ahead, Derek and Marg remain focused on continuing to improve the land, while also sharing their extensive knowledge with the farming community. “I wish to continue learning and improving our agricultural practices that result in the benefit to all livestock,” Derek says. “I believe that by participating in local discussion groups and by talking with like-minded farmers, the knowledge shared regarding alternative practices, benefits livestock combined with preservation of lands.” Love! Kumara is a new brand of shopper friendly kumara specially sorted for size and shape. It's the same kumara you love... now made even easier. Get In Touch! 09 439 0717 lovekumara.co.nz Growing great NZ kumara since 1966 enare rust r H T T proud to be associated with ryanthomas.co.nz 8 Tui Street, Taihape, 4720 06 388 0666 Working together with landowners and community groups, KMR is restoring the health of the Kaipara Moana—one of the world’s largest natural harbours. 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