46 | Glentoi Farm gets significant recognition Judges were impressed with the Millton’s strong commitment to sustainable land management practices. Bernadette Cooney South Marlborough sheep and beef farmers, Willie and Millie Millton of Glentoi Farm, have achieved significant recognition for their sustainable land management efforts, winning the 2025 Port Marlborough Environment Awards, Farming Category. Judges were impressed with the Millton’s strong commitment to sustainable land management practices that successfully strike a balance between conservation and commercial productivity. The Federated Farmers sponsored category win, was both unexpected and rewarding, says Millie and a great result for first time entrants. “The process itself was a great way to reflect on everything Glentoi Farm has achieved over the past 11 years,” says Millie. Purchased in 2014, with a neighbouring expansion in 2020, Glentoi farms 4000 sheep and 400 Angus cattle. The Millton’s have transitioned to an all-terminal sheep policy to better manage grazing pressure during Ward’s notoriously dry summers, supported by rotational grazing. But it’s their environmental leadership that sets them apart. Embedding sustainability into all aspects of farm management made good sense to the couple from the get-go. The Farming Award acknowledges their extensive conservation efforts which includes using sustainable fencing posts, eradicating invasive wilding pines, direct drilling catch crops to absorb excess nutrients for better soil health and converting a diesel water pump system to solar powered. MEAT & WOOL » Glentoi Farm “The dry climate makes water a huge challenge here,” Willie explains. “By tapping springs and using solar to lift it to higher elevations, we’re improving grazing patterns and keeping stock out of sensitive waterways.” A total of 146 hectares of the 1685-hectare property are registered in the Emissions Trading Scheme, generating income while supporting carbon neutrality and sediment control. Marlborough | Ph 03 972 3948 | Cell 027 544 3917 | Web www.patchettagair.com Specialising in Lime & Fertiliser Spreading on Hill country & Viticulture 027 440 0366 www.waipapalimestone.co.nz office@waipapalimestone.co.nz @waipapalimestone Clarence Valley, Marlborough Suppliers of: Proudly Supporting Glentoi Farm Agricultural Lime | Roading Chip | Landscape Aggregate Poultry Grit | Limestone Products ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited 05/25 23464 anz.co.nz ANZ is proud to support Marlborough Farmers Celebrating sustainable farming practices. To find out how ANZ can help you achieve your financial and sustainable goals contact, Drew Beckley (Relationship Manager) 021 619 465 anz23464_ANZ Proud to support Glentoi 126.5x100 f3.indd 1 28/05/25 3:57 PM “We’ve got 106 hectares in Indigenous ETS, including manuka, kanuka, and broadleaf and 40 hectares in pine,” says Millie. “We chose gullies that were hard to farm, for planting out pines, and used the opportunity to improve access and create stock lanes.” Glentoi Farm contains extensive native vegetation with 32 hectares designated a Significant Natural Area. The farm has cleared 95% of its wilding pines in the past year, made possible by shared funding through the Marlborough District Council to accelerate environmental improvements. Their conservation work extends to a poplar nursery, where they propagate using the coppicing method, and plant up to 150 poplar poles annually to help stabilise erosion-prone soils and provide shade for stock.
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